I am not a prisoner! User-centered design solutions for long-term psychiatric patients’ clothing
摘要
Through 106 interviews divided into two parts (76 in Part One and 30 in Part Two), the data and user feedback have revealed that Long-Term Mental Health Patients (LTMHPs) in healthcare centers can lead fulfilling lives. The initial phase of our research focused on understanding user preferences regarding specialized clothing for mental health patients. It was discovered that such clothing aids and enhances the quality of life during their stay. As a result, the second part of our research aimed to adopt a user-centered design (UCD) approach to translate user needs and desires into clothing designs, which were evaluated for their effectiveness after use. This involved employing an applied user experience research method and qualitative evaluation based on the FEA model. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with users who had experienced the clothing over an extended period.
The evaluation revealed that the proposed clothing effectively addressed problems and fulfilled needs, improving the patient’s quality of life and overall well-being. The clothing design took into consideration their mental and physical conditions within the mental health centers. Furthermore, the research findings demonstrated that mental health patients are aware of their surroundings and can evaluate services and products that provide comfort and enhance their living conditions within the center. Consequently, this research emphasizes the importance of designers and researchers conducting further studies focusing on the vulnerable segment of society, particularly long-stay patients in healthcare centers. The objective is to enhance their well-being and quality of life, striving for maximum physical and mental comfort.