S3 E3 - Designing for Mortality and Innovation in Healthcare with Ivor Williams

In this episode, I sit down with Ivor Williams, a designer with a background in both UX and product design with a focus on mortality and end of life care. Ivor brings a unique perspective to design in healthcare with his experience spanning academia, startups, and current independent venture, Delving into his work at Imperial College with palliative and end of life care projects. We talked about what it means to design for "death care", an area that bridges end of life care with the broader context of funeral services and legacy. Ivor shares insights on how design can facilitate change in outdated systems, drawing parallels to technological disruptions in other industries.We then explore his own company, Mortal, a service that encourages individuals to engage with their mortality. Ivor describes the five-week program that helps people confront existential questions in a group setting, highlighting how early contemplation can lead to a fuller life.Ivor reflects on his time at the Helix Centre and Acurex, discussing the role of design in healthcare innovation. He emphasises the importance of human connection, embracing difficult conversations, and how technology should augment rather than replace human capabilities.We talk about the importance of designing with a systems-thinking approach in the NHS, recognising that sustainable change requires understanding the interplay of people, processes, and technology.Join us for an enlightening discussion about the intersections of design, healthcare, and mortality, and how these considerations can transform patient care and healthcare systems alike.If you found this episode informative, don't forget to leave a review and share your thoughts. Thank you for tuning in!The Digital Ecology Podcast is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network, your go-to audio destination for the latest in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Discover more at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

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