Why would stakeholders participate in co-creation for a circular healthcare

A big number of innovations do not have the expected success because the product/service does not respond to the needs or to the user context (Cantamessa et al., 2018). This is why an increasing number of companies and organizations seek to more intensively involve end users and relevant stakeholders in their development processes.

When we talk about system change and the circularity of product development, it is no different. Involving relevant partners in (re)developing product chains is crucial for achieving a meaningful outcome or solution. However, the challenge escalates notably in the healthcare domain. The healthcare sector presents additional hurdles like country-specific regulations and third-party payer insurance systems. Furthermore, it embodies a social issue where both public and private resources converge

Living labs have been recognized as an innovation instrument in European policy for a number of years. An official recognition came with the establishment of ENoLL (European Network of Living Labs) under the Finnish Presidency of the European Union in 2006. Since then, living labs have been seen as pillars of the European Research, Development & Innovation system. Also a recent report of the European Commission, Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities in Horizon 2020, mentions that, “as scientific and technological advancements are taking center stage, the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities in R&I programmes have the power to ensure that these advancements are put at the service of the well-being of individuals and communities, align with societal goals and are widely distributed - leaving no one behind.”  

Living labs are the perfect partners to bring stakeholders together at local and international level for open discussions on various topics. In the DiCE project,  three living labs are involved: LiCalab – Living & Care lab (Belgium), INTRAS - Mindlab (Spain) and ORbITaLA (Slovenia).  We closely collaborate with regional end-users and stakeholders in all stages. Organizing sustain-a-thons (hackathons focusing on sustainability practices), design sprints, and co-creation sessions provides invaluable insights into the essential next steps required to achieve a fully circular system. In a subsequent phase, we will conduct pilot tests with citizens to evaluate the complete circular system under real-life conditions.

Why are stakeholders willing to participate in co-creation about circularity? Read some testimonials from participants that were involved in our activities: 

• Lore Mariën, policy officer at OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders)
• Karl Hanegreefs, head of service ICT and BioTechnology at regional hospital Geel
• Karin Verhaegen, commercial employee of MIVAS (socio-economic enterprise that offers adapted employment to persons with a labour restriction)
• Marc De Wit, citizen
   

My name is Lore Mariën, and I've worked as a policy officer at OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders) for over 20 years. We are making environmental gains in many areas by sorting more, incinerating less, implementing landfill bans, etc.  Ecodesign is crucial in this effort. If we consider waste management during product design, it can facilitate proper recycling and even enable repair and reuse.

Unfortunately, this approach hasn't yet gained traction in the medical sector, where the use of single-use, disposable materials like gloves and packaging has increased significantly, largely due to infection risk concerns. Consequently, much of this waste ends up in incinerators, squandering valuable resources.

To address this issue, collaboration is essential across all sectors, involving everyone from product designers to waste processors. The sustain-a-thon was a particularly impactful exercise as it brought together stakeholders to share ideas, identify areas for improvement, and envision the future. Through active collaboration, we gain a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, shedding preconceptions and biases, which ultimately facilitates collective action amidst complexity.

My name is Karl Hanegreefs, and I've been with Hospital Geel since September 1991, serving as the Head of ICT and BioTechnology for approximately 5 years. In 2023, I was invited by LiCalab to participate in a sustain-a-thon, which aligned perfectly with the hospital's vision for a sustainable future and my personal goal of addressing the sustainability challenges within the medical field. The aim was to make a difference not only for our current generation but also for future ones. This opportunity presented an exciting challenge, uniting innovation, collaboration, and environmental consciousness with like-minded individuals and organizations.

During the event, we collaborated on sustainable solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of certain medical devices. Through creative thinking and pooling the expertise and experiences of diverse participants, we generated impactful ideas. The event was later repeated with employees from Hospital Geel, yielding additional proposals and insights. Working alongside Sascha and the LiCaLab team was a profoundly enriching learning experience, fostering knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and mutual inspiration. It underscored the realization that there is still much progress to be made toward a more ecologically responsible world.
 

My name is Karin Verhaegen, and I am a commercial at MIVAS, a customization company. At MIVAS, we prioritize sustainability alongside our core mission of providing meaningful employment opportunities for our tailors. Recognizing the potential in healthcare, we eagerly participated in the sustain-a-thon.  As a socio-economic enterprise, we understand our responsibility to extend the lifespan of products and materials within the economy.

Traditionally, MIVAS has operated as a co-packer, emphasizing economic and social balance. However, driven by a sustainable vision, we are transitioning toward a circular business model to create sustainable jobs for employees with barriers to traditional employment, contributing valuable services to society. Collaborations between healthcare institutions and customization companies like ours offer myriad opportunities, freeing up time for care staff and fostering new business models.

For instance, by sorting and cleaning medical materials, we extend the lifespan of single-use products (SUP) in healthcare, thus promoting circularity while enhancing the quality of care provision. At MIVAS, we pride ourselves on innovative thinking, always seeking unconventional solutions to support sustainability in healthcare.

My name is Marc De Wit, and I am a member of the Seniors Council. In September 2023, we were contacted by LiCalab with a request to find candidates, seniors, to participate in a project called DiCE. The aim of this project is to make the healthcare sector more sustainable, focusing primarily on recovering valuable resources and waste collection. We eventually found several candidates willing to participate, and on November 8, 2023, the co-creation session took place. There were just enough participants to form two groups, and under expert guidance, the session proceeded very smoothly, with a deliberate exploration of the reasons and locations for collecting electronic healthcare materials. Using cards, a folder, and options to choose from, the group of candidates was surveyed to gather their opinions. Towards the end, the example of the digital bus for electronic waste collection was discussed. Opinions on this varied, but it provided the facilitators with some insight into the participants' perspectives. The session was perceived as professional and engaging, and all participants left with positive feelings.

Furthermore, I was personally contacted to participate in a pillbox test. Starting with an interview to gather personal opinions, the test was very straightforward, yet I believe it was possible to draw clear conclusions.

The reason why I participated in the project is primarily due to the awareness of the need for recycling and the search for sustainable resources, which we may face shortages of in the future. Personally, I prefer to sort materials in advance before taking them to the recycling center. Additionnally, I felt compelled to play a leadership role in this endeavor.
 

At LiCalab, we greatly appreciate the active involvement of various stakeholders, as it enables us and the project to identify user needs and preferences, guiding us in selecting the most suitable path forward for the DiCE project.

More information about DiCE?
Visit the project website of get in touch with Sascha Vermeylen via sascha.vermeylen@thomasmore.be.