Design Thinking in Healthcare: From Problem to Innovative Solutions

Anni Pakarinen (PhD, MHSc, RN) is a Senior researcher and Research manager in Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland. Her research focuses on health promotion and digital interventions, particularly on serious games and gamified applications. She leads several digital health projects and is experienced in developing, evaluating and implementing interventions for health. During recent years, she has been involved in planning and organizing several international and multiprofessional Design thinking courses at the University of Turku.

Thomas Lemström (MSc.eng., strategy) works as a business design advisor for teams creating new products, services, and content that drive innovative change in healthcare. His experiences in health innovation include founding a biotech company, running an EU-funded productization clinic, consulting in healthcare management, and serving as a business design advisor for researchers and developers of medical technologies.

Eeva Rainio (PhD) is Head of Faculty Development at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland. She has a PhD in molecular biology, and she has been working in university administration since 2010, first in MSc and doctoral program coordination, and then with strategic development, innovations and business collaboration. She has also played a significant role in introducing Design Thinking to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Turku, after her visit in Stanford d.school in 2019.

Eriikka Siirala (PhD, MHSc, RN) is an innovation specialist in research services in Turku University Hospital. In addition, she also works part-time in the educational development of the SPARK Finland programme. Her research focuses on nurse managers decision making and information needs in perioperative settings. Siirala got inspired to use design thinking after a visit to Stanford d.school and she has been involved in design thinking courses at the university and also in the hospital.