A Design Thinking Mindset Beyond the Public Health Model

Abstract

In the era of precision medicine, where sequencing genome technology is emerging and extending to the general public, a question remains unclear: Can we bridge policies and programs to foster a human‐centered focus on public health and wellness using personalized medical technology? Public health wellness is a byproduct of the social determinants of health and genetic factors. Research has shown that our epigenetic influences impact our health and well‐being more significantly than what is in our genetic code. How might we design our health and wellness efforts to achieve a healthier population? This commentary highlights the application of design thinking as a driver toward a human‐centered approach in developing policy by maximizing our understanding of genetic code and new technology in the context of human needs and values for population health. Using the parameters of a design thinking theoretical approach, this paper suggests using a logic model framework to assess and evaluate the impact of precision medicine initiatives on public health and public wellness. By applying the core principles of design thinking: (i) empathy, (ii) observation, (iii) ideation, (iv) prototyping, and (v) experimentation in a system framework, we can foster a collaborative, collective approach to transforming public health.