Thinking Differently: Six Principles for Crafting Rapid Co-design and Design Thinking Sprints as ‘Transformative Learning Experiences in Healthcare’

This chapter presents six principles drawn from lived experience of running over 30 rapid design thinking and co-design sprints on diverse healthcare topics as part of the HEAL initiative. Starting with an explanation of the value of a co-design approach to healthcare and situating these activities as transformative learning experiences for attendees, the six principles address the empathetic role of the facilitator, the importance of looking for the positive, the need to work through the hard stuff, the value of enabling consumers to have their say, ways to facilitate important conversations, and how to ensure a memorable experience. The chapter ends with a research poem that highlights the importance of thinking differently about design sprints.