The confluence of seasonal influenza and the surge of COVID-19 cases creates a “wicked problem” for the healthcare system. Addressing this challenge with the known methods of quality improvement will yield results; however, without the human-centered methodology of design thinking, we risk excluding patients and providers from the solution. In response, we launched a six-week design sprint with teams from three continents focusing on the “Twindemic.”

Wicked Problems require Design Thinking

Defined by Horst Rittel, a UC Berkeley professor, wicked problems are ill-formulated social system problems, where the information is confusing among many stakeholders with conflicting values, and the ramifications to the whole system are thoroughly confusing.

The “Twindemic” is a Wicked Problem

COVID19 washed away the foundation of our social, economic, and political orders. With impacts on this scale, it is difficult to fully appreciate its scale. Thus, we broke the system into smaller pieces:

• “Education and Awareness,”
• “Access to Care,” 
• “Vaccine Distribution,” and 
• “Healthcare Capacity.”

Within each area of focus, we found contradictory statements and false information, amplified by poor health literacy among vulnerable populations. One opportunity statement speaks to this fact:

“For low-income families who don't have stable internet access, there must be a better way to disseminate information.”

On the other hand:

“For well-educated people who have access to the big picture of pharmaceutical battles/greed, there must be a better way to have a transparent process.”

Beyond individuals, hospitals are facing similar uncertainty:

“For healthcare officials who track the pandemic, there must be a better way to systematically identify community cases of influenza & COVID.”

And:

“For researchers assessing the impact of COVID/Influenza co-infection, there must be a better way to identify and recruit appropriate individuals.”

This is only Week One of our six-week “Twindemic” Design Sprint.

This coming week, participants are conducting desk research into their opportunity statements, seeking first-person experiences by listening to podcast interviews, watching YouTube patient testimonial videos, and listening to clinicians’ stories from the front lines.

We are still accepting passionate participants. Be a part of a holistic team-work, work with professionals from different backgrounds and expertise around the globe, design breakthrough solutions to make an impact for the Twindemic. Will you join us?