Journey mapping is a visual method that traces the steps, experiences, and emotions users go through when interacting with a service or managing a condition. In co-design studies, it is often applied in the Discover phase to reveal pain points and opportunities, translating complex experiences into insights that guide the design of digital health interventions.

Application Example​

In a study developing I-Can Manage, a web-based cancer self-management program, researchers used journey mapping as part of the co-design process to capture patient experiences with cancer treatment and toxicity management. A workshop with 12 key stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, clinicians, and design experts, was conducted to create patient personas and journey maps. These maps visualised the steps, challenges, and emotions that patients encounter throughout their cancer treatment journey.

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Insights from journey mapping highlighted critical points where digital support could be most beneficial, such as managing side effects, accessing reliable information, and maintaining motivation for self-care. The findings directly informed the design of the program’s prototype, shaping its features, content, and learning modules to align with real-world patient needs. (Howell et al., 2023)