Design of a product for affective communication in video consultations

Design of a product for affective communication in video consultations

De Groot, B.

Esser, P.E. (mentor)
De Ridder, H. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

Master of Science Design for Interaction - Medisign

2010-01-29

Teleconsultation is a consultation between a doctor and a patient by means of video communication technology. It is a promising solution for the growing demand for health care. However, the medium has depersonalizing qualities. Emotions have an important role in doctor-patient relationship and are related to positive medical outcomes of consultations. Nonverbal behaviour is an important bearer of emotional messages. Nonverbal behaviour, like body posture and touching, are harder to distinguish. Therefore a product is designed for affective communication in teleconsultations, with focus on touch. A literature study has been performed on nonverbal affective communication in teleconsultations. Then a context analysis has been done by means of personas, interviews with specialists and an observational study on touching behaviour of patients during teleconsultations. The importance of the handshake at the beginning and end of a teleconsultation has been discovered and a virtual handshake has been developed. Different user studies gave a direction for the visualization of the handshake. Tactility, form and colour studies helped to design the input device and interface of the product. Finally the product is evaluated with a user test and evaluations with specialists. The product ‘Handmate’ is designed. The doctor and patient both have a pad. When the doctor and patient both put their hand on their pad, the screen will show a visualization of two figures shaking hands. The figures are designed for easy identification and friendly appearance. The doctor and patient can both initiate a handshake and decide on the duration of the handshake. The doctor can switch to the conversation mode, with a full screen webcam of the other person. The handshake product will give structure and clarity to the teleconsultation. It will help to establish rules of conduct for teleconsultations. The doctor and patient can greet each with the product. It will help to comfort the patient and it enables the doctor to show interest and empathy. The interaction between doctor and patient will become stronger and more personal.

design
video communication technology
teleconsultation
nonverbal communication
emotions
touch
handshake

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:01348554-9025-4f7c-9aa3-78ed6e5b5c76

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2010 De Groot, B.