Improving the experience of receiving a Ventricular Assistive Device (VAD)
As health care technology continues to develop, more people will be living longer, fuller lives with the assistance of wearable/implantable medical devices.
This project examined the patient experience regarding the decision to receive a Ventricular Assistive Device (VAD) implant in response to heart failure, and their quality of life after the surgery. It revealed many opportunities to improve the decision-making process and to design products to assist the patients and their caregivers in daily life. This included an App. to facilitate post-surgery communication between patients and healthcare providers and other VAD recipients.
Slideshow
Initial research was done as part of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Aging & Independent Living (HAIL) inititive.
A case study of the research phase was presented and published in the Proceedings of the International Symposium of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare. June, 2014 (available for public viewing in April, 2015)
TO VAD OR NOT TO VAD: That is the question. Improving the experience of receiving a Ventricular Assist Device