As part of a joint project with Hospital de Bellvitge to evaluate the usability of the El Meu Quiròfan application, we conducted semi-structured interviews to understand users’ perceptions and experiences. Before this, we assessed the comprehensibility of the thematic script with hospital volunteers. This experience highlighted the importance of adapting health content to users and ensuring that information is clear, accessible, and centered on their real needs.

• • Date: January 2024
  • Place: Sant Fruitós del Bages

Reflection on the learning and competences: I assisted a doctoral student from UOC (Aïna Fuster Casanovas) with her doctoral thesis in preparing the thematic script and conducting focus groups in the field of depression and digital health. Through this process, I learned about the importance of preparing, reviewing, and sharing thematic scripts with team members to make them as understandable as possible.

The EvalDepApps project aims to develop a digital tool and methodology to help both patients and professionals identify the best apps for managing depression. From January to March 2024, I participated in empathization and co-creation workshops for people with depression and mental health professionals in Girona, Barcelona, Málaga, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

My participation in the organization of the workshops, as well as my role as an observer, allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the design thinking process and its dynamics. Moreover, this experience has made me realize the importance of detecting the real needs of end users and involving them, along with all stakeholders, in the development and implementation of health and digital health interventions to improve usability, health outcomes, and user experiences. Participatory processes can help prevent people from having to adapt to technology while fostering tools that are adapted to them.

Date: Sept 2024 to Jan 2025

Place: Online/Remote

Competences and reflection on the learning undertaken: This course has been very beneficial to understanding all the pieces of a research proposal. The required readings and sources helped me understand general social science research and all the key aspects I needed to consider when writing my proposal. Additionally, the assessments were relevant for proposal writing and adjacent skills, including a video presentation and peer feedback. These helped refine my proposal and other skills, such as presentation and constructive, critical feedback skills. The timelines for the submission were challenging to manage along with other responsibilities. Still, even that helped me understand the pressure I may work under during the entire PhD study.

I wish there had been a live, synchronous aspect to the course, as both the professor and the tutor were highly knowledgeable, and it would have been a rich experience to hear directly from them. However, the tutor was readily available via email and accommodating to personal circumstances, making my journey a bit easier.