Co-Creating People-Centred Solutions in COMFORTage

At the heart of COMFORTage lies a clear guiding principle: AI-driven tools and technologies should be designed with and for the people who will use them. White Research leads Task 2.2, People-Centred System Design and Co-Creation, which puts this principle into practice by involving patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and researchers in shaping digital tools that respond to real user needs.

During the first round of Co-Creation Workshops (CCWS-I), all COMFORTage Pilot partners worked closely with local stakeholders and end users to understand, prioritise, and address their needs. By applying participatory design techniques and the Blueprint Persona (BPP) approach, the project ensures that prototypes, components, and tools are not only technically sound but also meaningfully embedded in users’ lived experiences.

First round: identifying needs and early feedback

The first series of workshops focused on early-stage components and opt-in tools such as Helthentia, inviting patients, older adults, caregivers, HCPs, researchers, and medical students to co-design alongside developers. A major milestone of this phase was the creation of eighteen Blueprint Personas, reflecting a wide range of needs, expectations, and daily challenges.

Key takeaways from CCWS-I included:

-Patients and caregivers highlighted the need for tools that are simple, accessible, emotionally supportive, and that foster social connection
-HCPs and researchers prioritised efficiency, data integrity, and streamlined team communication
-Across all groups, there was a clear consensus that technologies must enhance human interaction rather than replace it

These insights have informed technical refinements and established a solid foundation for the next phase.

Second round: further refinement, validation, and public brainstorming

The second round of workshops (CCWS-II) will take place between September and November 2025. This phase will broaden both participation and focus, collecting feedback on more advanced COMFORTage tools and front-end features, including the Clinical Decision Support System (cDSS) and the Patient Digital Twin (PDT). The eighteen Blueprint Personas will also be revisited and refined to reflect any evolving user needs or expectations.

Clinicians and researchers will take on a more central role, while continuity will be ensured by involving both returning and new participants. Pilot partners will conduct the workshops and collect feedback using shared templates and qualitative guidelines prepared by White Research.

Matching tools to user needs

Together, the two CCWS rounds enable the COMFORTage project to iteratively develop, test, and adjust its tools based on direct user input. Task 2.2 ensures that both the design process and the resulting solutions are grounded in what truly matters to users, including usability, accessibility, and trust. Deliverable D2.5, to be submitted at the end of the year, will document the process and outcomes of the second round.

**Article written by White Research, a key partner in the COMFORTage project.