Using Design Thinking to Develop a Tool for Strengthening Nurses' Cultural Competence: Lessons Learned.

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses working in dementia care lack cultural competence to improve access to health care for ethnic minority persons. This study aimed to develop a tool to strengthen nurses' cultural competence, using a Design Thinking approach in the Netherlands.

Method: This qualitative participatory study followed five Design Thinking phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Data were collected during co-creation sessions with a Design Team consisting of nurses, an informal caregiver, researchers and students.

Results: The Design Team (n = 7) formulated the problem statement: "It is difficult to map all involved in the care for the person with dementia, and to be able to ask right questions." In response, the Good Conversation Method was developed, including a genogram to visualize the care network and conversation cards to explore cultural and religious identity.

Discussion: Design Thinking lessons included the importance of including all stakeholders, managing differing perspectives, and allowing time for iterative development.