Digital Health Co-Design
Literature Review
Literature Review
A literature review is a systematic process of searching, analysing, and synthesising existing research evidence to build knowledge on a particular topic. It helps researchers identify what is already known, where the gaps lie, and which theories or frameworks might guide intervention design. In co-design studies, literature reviews are most often applied in the Discover phase, where they provide a foundation for understanding user needs, contextual factors, and best practices before engaging stakeholders in participatory activities.
Application Example
In a study designing a Learning Electronic Medical Record (LEMR) system for intensive care unit physicians, a literature review was used in the Discover phase to guide the development of preliminary prototypes. By synthesising insights from existing studies on EMR usability, data overload, and clinician information-seeking behaviours, the research team identified common challenges and evidence-based design principles. These findings shaped the creation of early paper prototypes of the LEMR interface, ensuring that the initial design directions were grounded in prior knowledge before engaging end users for observations, interviews, and participatory design workshops. (Calzoni et al., 2020)