Design-Driven Solutions for Enhancements in Patient Care Navigation
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care – Manhattan, New York
Team: Dave Remedios, Arunima Sinha & Jo Sabavala
Design Brief
How might we’ design scalable experiences along the Care Navigation Journey that improve patient support, reduce barriers to information, and empower an increasingly diverse patient population at the institute.
Primary Desk Research
We began our research process by establishing a team community agreement and setting norms for collaboration. This was followed by extensive reading on the subject. We explored a range of online resources, starting with the institute’s website and extending to various reference libraries, including those at The New School and NYU. These efforts helped guide our thinking and informed an initial set of questions for the client.
Partner Engagement Activity
The Analysis
Ecosystem mapping
Emotional Mapping of 'Fear'
Clustering
Question formation
Interviews
Dr. Sasha Menon - Anaesthesiologist
Dr. Vinay Deshmane - Oncologist
Persona Development
Persona Journey Map
Idea Selection Workshop with the Partner
Strategic Insights & Recommendations
MSK Connect+: A Peer-to-Peer Network for Patients and Caregivers
Over six months of intensive research, workshops, and interviews with stakeholders from MSK and other healthcare providers, we identified a strong need for a peer-to-peer support service. Such a system could significantly help patients and caregivers navigate the emotional and often traumatic journey of cancer care. We proposed the creation of a fully self-sustaining peer network—MSK Connect+—featuring a buddy system, regular meetups, and dedicated caregiver support, addressing a group often overlooked in the care process.
We developed a detailed guide covering the identification of interested staff and volunteers, enrollment processes for patients and caregivers, a buddy-matching system, and a business model designed to keep the program financially independent from the institute’s core operational budget.
Our recommendations were well received by the client, who expressed a clear interest in piloting the program.
