A Virtual Innovation Group Method for Designing Patient-Centered Healthcare Services

Purpose and goal

The aim of this project was to collaboratively develop and test a digital innovation platform and related method that enables public sector organizations to involve users as idea generators. Based on previous research in innovation management and two test cases, a method was developed composed of a step-to-step process to enable: 1) access to users, 2) facilitate idea generation among users, and 3) transfer of user ideas into the organization’s innovation process.

Expected results and effects

This project contributes a method that public sector organizations can apply to source and integrate user ideas into the organization’s innovation process. The method is designed to work in a digital format, and as such, allows users to contribute regardless of time and place. Results show that users can have difficulties in expressing their ideas digitally and professionals may misinterpret user-generated ideas when lacking context. A designated meeting during which users and professionals collaboratively discuss and refine ideas could mitigate this limitation.

Planned approach and implementation

This project included four work packages starting with a literature review, followed by the collaborative design and testing of a digital innovation platform and related method. Not all aspects put forward by the literature could be incorporated into the platform design because building a platform that is suitable for use in the public sector proved to be resource intensive and required many iterations. The method was tested with a public sector organization and found to be useful for sourcing and refining ideas contributed by citizens.

External links

Ideation Platform Portal Karlstad University´s Project Portal Information Page