Friday 11 April 2014

Design in Health

Thinking about design as it relates to health, the skeleton strikes me as a template. It may not be an elegant example of design but we do know that it works and over the short term it can adjust to changes. Even more amazing in the long term it can evolve.

This one is done evolving but still very useful to many

It doesn’t look elegant, it's got too many fiddly bits and weak spots but it is functional and effective. Those two features are essential parts of design.

If we had to construct something else to replace our skeletons it would not look like the replica above. 

With our bones as framework we can influence the way we look to others. With such a solid base lying below our skin and muscles we have many choices about the way present ourselves.

That's one of the difficulties of chronic illness. It takes away some of the possibilities that we may want with great intensity. In my quest for a less stressful life I have (mostly) adapted to the losses. Acceptance has helped me to cope.

I'd bet no one is surprised that there is a study about this very topic.

The process of acceptance among rheumatoid arthritis patients in Switzerland: A qualitative study. The conclusions can apply to other chronic illness but I picked RA for sentimental reasons.


This post is in response to the #MedX assignment on Designing For 
Health, though it meanders away from the topic.

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