Human-Centered Design in Medical Packaging

This article is a technical report that discusses the importance of human-centered design (HCD) in medical packaging. It outlines the challenges faced in the healthcare industry, particularly regarding patient safety and medication adherence, which can be impacted by inadequate packaging. The report defines HCD as a design approach that prioritizes patients' needs and preferences throughout the packaging development process. It details the design process, which includes stages such as Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of packaging engineers and other experts to ensure compliance with industry regulations while enhancing usability and patient satisfaction. Additionally, the report highlights the role of the FDA in promoting human factors engineering in medical device design, noting that while compliance with their guidelines is not mandatory, it is recommended to minimize user errors. The conclusion reinforces the significance of HCD in improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes.