Designing Digital Health Innovation for Stigma-Affected Health Conditions: A Systems-Based View to Managing Chronic Pelvic Pain
Journal
International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction
ISSN
1044-7318
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2025-04-15
Author(s)
Abstract
Stigma is a recognized global barrier to effective disease management, affecting social interactions,
resource access, and psychological well-being. In this study, we developed a patient-centered
framework, grounded in sociotechnical systems (STS) theory, to derive design requirements and
interventions for health conditions affected by social stigma. We tested the framework in a mixedmethod study with patients experiencing chronic pelvic pain, identifying ten design requirements
that include behavioral, psychological, and daily support strategies. The findings reveal a prefer-ence for priming and social support interventions among these patients. Our study underscores
the importance of a systems-based perspective in healthcare and advocates a nuanced, patientcentered approach to address the complexities of stigma. It contributes to the discourse on inte-grating STS theory into healthcare frameworks, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to
mitigate stigma in patient care.
resource access, and psychological well-being. In this study, we developed a patient-centered
framework, grounded in sociotechnical systems (STS) theory, to derive design requirements and
interventions for health conditions affected by social stigma. We tested the framework in a mixedmethod study with patients experiencing chronic pelvic pain, identifying ten design requirements
that include behavioral, psychological, and daily support strategies. The findings reveal a prefer-ence for priming and social support interventions among these patients. Our study underscores
the importance of a systems-based perspective in healthcare and advocates a nuanced, patientcentered approach to address the complexities of stigma. It contributes to the discourse on inte-grating STS theory into healthcare frameworks, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to
mitigate stigma in patient care.
Refereed
yes
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
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Designing Digital Health Innovation for Stigma-Affected Health Conditions A Systems-Based View to Managing Chronic Pelvic Pain.pdf
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Format
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