Main topic : One Health
Design Thinking for COVID-19 Prevention and Control
SUNGPRADIT S. 1, YAMABHAI J. 2, CUSRIPITUCK P. 2, LEESOMBUN A. 1, GRONSANG D. 1, SARIYA L. 3, THONGDEE M. 3, BOONMASAWAI S. 1, KIMSAKULVECH S. 1, PAUNGPIN W. 3, WIRIYARAT W. 1, TAOWAN J. 3, SUKSAI P. 3, CHAIWATTANARUNGRUENGPAISAN S. 3, SURARITH W. 3, MONGKOLPHAN C. 3, KETCHIM N. 3, KOTONGJAREON L. 3, JONGPRASANWONG M. 3, KLINSREETHONG M. 3
1 Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; 2 Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; 3 The Monitoring and Surveillance center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Introduction
The “new normal” and the “now normal” in people’s daily lives will continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended as well as during the next inevitable. To prevent, control, and live with the disease, which can bring the complex health problems, multidisciplinary staffs from the faculties, institutes, and colleges of Mahidol University, Thailand, were invited to use and practice systemic thinking, specifically, the design thinking process.
Methods
This on-site activity was arranged to give the participants an opportunity to learn about COVID-19 and the design thinking process. The pre-prototypes were developed by following the design thinking process, including empathizing, defining, ideating, and creating prototypes.
Results
Information about COVID-19, the One Health concept, and the design thinking approach were introduced to the participants, who had opportunities to discuss and practice the development of prototypes for COVID-19 prevention. Design thinking was used as a process for the short period of time for the pre-prototype development. In the three design thinking workshops, ten pre-prototypes were selected: SPA mask, THOHUN trash, fun clean (alcohol ball), smart helmet, two-in-one smart mask, MU hero spray, U WE box, distance belt and distance box, all-in-one mask, and smart trash. The top five pre-prototypes (U WE box, THOHUN trash, distance belt and distance box, MU hero spray, and fun clean [alcohol ball]) were ranked, and THOHUN will be responsible for contacting companies to discuss and further develop these pre-prototypes for commercialized equipment.
Conclusion
Ten pre-protypes for COVID-19 prevention and control were developed using a design thinking process.