Integrating TB Treatment into Community Pharmacies: A Human-Centered Design Approach

Why It Matters

This research highlights the value of deeply understanding user needs and contextual factors before implementing new service delivery models. By involving end-users and stakeholders throughout the design process, interventions are more likely to be practical, desirable, and ultimately successful.

Key Finding

By engaging users throughout the design process, the study successfully identified key challenges and opportunities, leading to the development and refinement of contextually relevant strategies for integrating TB treatment into community pharmacies.

Key Findings

• Qualitative data revealed barriers and facilitators to integrating TB treatment into community pharmacies.
• Journey mapping provided insights into the care pathway of people with TB/HIV.
• Design workshops generated actionable design opportunities and prototypes.
• Iterative testing refined prototypes based on feedback regarding usability, desirability, feasibility, and viability.

Research Evidence

Aim: To develop person-centered strategies for integrating tuberculosis (TB) treatment into community pharmacies for individuals with TB/HIV using a Human-Centered Design methodology.

Method: Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodology

Procedure: The study employed a three-phased HCD approach: inspiration (qualitative research, participant observation, journey mapping), ideation (design workshops, insight generation, prototyping), and implementation (iterative testing of low and high-fidelity prototypes with user feedback).

Sample Size: The study involved multiple stakeholder groups including people with TB/HIV, TB and HIV focal persons, Ministry of Health officials, and community pharmacy healthcare providers. Prototype testing involved 12-16 participants per round.

Context: Healthcare service delivery, specifically the integration of TB treatment into community pharmacies in Uganda.

Design Principle

Embrace iterative prototyping and user feedback to ensure the practical and desirable implementation of new service models.

How to Apply

When designing new services or integrating existing ones into new environments, conduct thorough user research, journey mapping, and iterative prototyping with direct user involvement.

Limitations

The study was conducted in specific health facilities in Kampala, Uganda, and findings may not be directly generalizable to all contexts without adaptation.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This study shows how designers can work with people who need a service (like TB treatment) and the people who provide it to create the best way to deliver that service through community pharmacies.

Why This Matters: Understanding user needs and testing prototypes with them is essential for creating design solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and effective in real-world scenarios.

Critical Thinking: How might the cultural context of Uganda specifically influence the success of these HCD-developed strategies if applied in a different cultural setting?

IA-Ready Paragraph: The Human-Centered Design methodology, as demonstrated in the integration of TB treatment into community pharmacies, provides a robust framework for developing contextually relevant and user-centered solutions. This approach emphasizes iterative prototyping and direct user engagement to ensure the feasibility, desirability, and viability of implemented strategies, offering valuable insights for designing effective service delivery models.

Project Tips

• Clearly define your target user group and their needs.
• Use a phased approach for design, moving from understanding the problem to testing solutions.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research and iterative design in your own design project.
• Use the HCD methodology as a framework for your own design process, especially when tackling complex user needs.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the user's perspective and how it informed your design decisions.
• Show evidence of iterative testing and refinement based on user feedback.

Independent Variable: Human-Centered Design methodology phases (inspiration, ideation, implementation) and prototype fidelity (low vs. high).

Dependent Variable: Usability, desirability, feasibility, and viability of integrated TB treatment strategies.

Controlled Variables: Participant groups (people with TB/HIV, health officials, pharmacy providers), primary health facilities, specific health conditions (TB/HIV).

Strengths

• Employs a rigorous and established Human-Centered Design methodology.
• Involves multiple key stakeholder groups for comprehensive insights.

Critical Questions

• What are the potential ethical considerations when designing health interventions for vulnerable populations?
• How can the long-term sustainability of these integrated services be ensured beyond the initial pilot phase?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the application of HCD in designing accessible educational resources for patients managing chronic conditions.
• Explore how HCD principles can be used to improve the user experience of digital health platforms.

Source

Person-centered strategies for integrating TB treatment into community pharmacies for people with TB/HIV in Uganda: A human-centered design methodology study protocol. · PLoS ONE · 2026 · 10.1371/journal.pone.0344913