human-centered design

Introduction Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) older adults in the United States (U.S.) face barriers to accessing health information and resources they need to make informed healthcare decisions. More resources are needed to promote their agency and preparedness to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system and sociopolitical landscape. The purpose of this study was to develop a testable web-based resource to support informed healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults. Methods This multimethod co-design study integrated a human-centered design approach that centered the perspectives of TGD older adults in the research process. In the prototyping and testing phases of the study, TGD adults and multidisciplinary professionals from across the U.S. were enrolled to co-develop a web-based resource with the research team during individual and paired interviews. Participants also completed a demographic questionnaire and a website usability survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was used to identify design themes, which guided iterative prototyping of the web-based resource. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Complementary data from the usability survey and participant interviews were integrated in a joint display. Results A total of 27 participants, of whom 14 (52%) were TGD older adults, enrolled in the prototyping and testing phases. Analysis of qualitative data across both phases yielded five design themes that structured the development of a functional web-based resource: (1) Facilitating healthcare decisions through information and resources; (2) Organizing complex content with clarity and inclusivity; (3) Maintaining security, accessibility, and navigability; (4) Phasing rollout to communities and organizations; and (5) Planning for leadership, stewardship, and partnership. In the prototyping phase, three low- and mid-fidelity prototypes of a health information and resources website for TGD older adults were developed. In the testing phase, participants trialed a mid-fidelity prototype of the website, and their recommendations for improvements were integrated into a high-fidelity prototype for dissemination. Conclusion This study is one of few studies using participatory methods to engage TGD older adults in public health research. Through the development of a health information and resources website, this study demonstrates an innovative and feasible community-based co-design approach to addressing barriers affecting healthcare decision-making for TGD older adults.

ABSTRACT Clinical mental health concerns often emerge before a client's problem is fully understood or safe to disclose. This best‐practice article presents human‐centered design as a complementary metamodel for clinical reasoning and collaborative treatment planning. Rather than replacing counseling theory, diagnosis, assessment, case conceptualization, or evidence‐based practice, human‐centered design helps counselors explore context, hold hypotheses provisionally, collaborate with clients, test appropriate actions, and revise interventions through feedback. A six‐part clinical cycle—listen and empathize, map, frame, try, learn, and revise—is illustrated through a case scenario. Practical guidance addresses integration with counseling theory, trauma care, neurodivergence and differential assessment, social determinants of mental health, managed care documentation, crisis limitations, and counselor competence. Implications are offered for practice, supervision, counselor education, and research. The approach emphasizes designing with clients, not for them, while maintaining diagnostic rigor, ethical responsibility, and contextual responsiveness.

چکیده: نگرانی‌های بالینی سلامت روان اغلب پیش از آن‌که مسئله مراجع به‌طور کامل درک یا به‌صورت ایمن افشا شود، پدیدار می‌شوند. این مقاله مبتنی بر بهترین شواهد، طراحی انسان‌محور را به‌عنوان فرامدل مکملی برای استدلال بالینی و برنامه‌ریزی درمانی مشارکتی معرفی می‌کند. طراحی انسان‌محور به‌جای جایگزینی نظریه مشاوره، تشخیص، ارزیابی، مفهوم‌سازی مورد یا عمل مبتنی بر شواهد، به مشاوران کمک می‌کند تا زمینه را بررسی کنند، فرضیه‌ها را به‌صورت موقت نگه دارند، با مراجعان همکاری کنند، اقدامات مناسب را آزمایش کنند و مداخلات را از طریق بازخورد بازنگری نمایند. یک چرخه بالینی شش‌مرحله‌ای—گوش دادن و همدلی، ترسیم، چارچوب‌بندی، آزمودن، یادگیری و بازنگری—از طریق یک سناریوی موردی تشریح می‌شود. راهنمایی‌های عملی به ادغام با نظریه مشاوره، مراقبت از تروما، تفاوت‌های عصبی و ارزیابی افتراقی، تعیین‌کننده‌های اجتماعی سلامت روان، مستندسازی مراقبت مدیریت‌شده، محدودیت‌های بحران و شایستگی مشاور می‌پردازد. پیامدهایی برای عمل، نظارت، آموزش مشاور و پژوهش ارائه شده است. این رویکرد بر طراحی با مراجعان، نه برای آن‌ها، در عین حفظ دقت تشخیصی، مسئولیت اخلاقی و پاسخگویی به زمینه تأکید دارد.