A series of interactive devices that explore how to foster closer interaction between patients and their 'life support' machines.
Through working closely with kidney patients who need to rely on dialysis machines on an everyday basis, this project was set up to explore the interaction between man and technology, especially during medical treatment with 'life support' systems. According to the UK National Kidney Federation 1 in 10 of the population may have chronic kidney disease (CKD): it is less common in young adults, being present in 1 in 50, but it is present in 1 in 2 of those aged over 75 years.
The social consequences and psychological needs expressed by kidney patients include social exclusion, lack of mobility, low self-esteem and dependence on technology as well as frustrations towards the behaviour of the machines they share their lives with. The aim of the project is to encourage debate and reflection on the inhuman nature of medical devices - life support machines in particular.
The user research started from posting calls for participants on numerous online patient forums. The first questionnaire was sent out to dialysis users who are in different stages of treatment. Based on these discussions, a refined questionnaire with more focused questions was sent to the responders. Among all the interviewees, a patient who has been reliant on dialysis for over 20 years and dialates from home, was selected and shadowed for a day. With the help of the carer, the designer gained a greater understanding of the dialysis procedure, and discussed the social issues and difficulties encountered, such as social isolation, restricted movement, strict regime and diet, and the differences between being treated at home and at hospital. More interviews were held with a number of patients from different age groups and stages of treatment (from new patients to returning or long term ones) at a Renal Unit. Conversations were also held with experts in chronic kidney disease treatment and dialysis machines, in order to understand how the systems work.
A short documentary exploring the psychological consequences of using a dialysis machine was produced and will be developed into an educational/experiential tool for dialysis patients and providers. The video has been posted on the Kidney Patient Guide forum, and was well received, it was also commended by 'Kidney Care'. A series of devices such as the 'Telepresence Frame' and 'Human Black Box' were designed to bring peoples attention to this issue. A more provocative concept was also proposed which involved the use of utility animals as life-support 'devices', which these animals becoming companions and health carers for the patients.
