Citizen Science Applied Health Care: Active involvement of clinicians and patients in co-creating health products, services and environments

Abstract

Citizen science, involving the public in scientific processes alongside researchers, offers promise for health research and collaborative health management. This participatory approach engages laypersons in knowledge production, yielding insights unattainable through traditional methods. This article highlights citizen science's practical contributions to healthcare, advocating for its role in reshaping the healthcare model. Drawing from four recent projects, it emphasises the importance of professional and patient involvement in solution development. These experiences underscore the need for rigorous criteria identification and early-stage involvement to ensure project success.Recommendations to advance citizen science in health management include extending value-based health principles to product development, diversifying participant profiles, integrating citizen scientists into early research phases, leveraging technology for data collection, and ensuring methodological rigour. These suggestions aim to enhance the effectiveness of citizen science in addressing health challenges and fostering collaborative innovation in healthcare.The future of social and healthcare services must actively include citizens and professionals throughout the process to humanise these services, enhancing health products, services and environments.

Keywords: Citizen Science, Participatory Research, Value-Based Health, User Experience, Human Care, Collaborative Methodology, Co-Creation, Citizen Voice, User Experience, Human Factors, Medical Device, Humanise Healthcare

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005067