Intelligent Medical Dosage Unit : Product Design from a User Perspective of People with Diabetes Type 2

• Main Authors: Spets Granvik, Karolina, Åkerström, Amanda
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Technology; Teknik; Intelligent läkemedelsförpackning; dosett; diabetes; adherence; användarbaserad design; produktutveckling; Luleå
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-44930

This report covers a master thesis in Industrial Design Engineering conducted by two students at Luleå University of Technology during the fall semester of 2015. The report describes the development of an intelligent dosage unit for medication and is executed for AstraZeneca.A large amount of those who are treated with medication terminate their course of treatment prematurely, this also applies to those suffering from chronic diseases. Reasons for interrupting the medication are diverse and the consequences of it can lead to worse health, hospitalization and increased costs for the society. One way to increase the use of medications, increase adherence, may be through the pharmaceutical packaging, which forms the basis for this project.The objective of the project was to develop a concept of an intelligent pharmaceutical packaging through a literature review and a user study of the intended target group. The aim of the concept was to contribute to increased adherence. The target group of the project was initially patients with chronic diseases. To reduce the focus area, patients with diabetes type 2, were later selected as the target group.A fundamental literature study was conducted where information and research on Industrial Design Engineering, diabetes, adherence and existing intelligent pharmaceutical packaging were examined. To investigate what the user wants in a future pharmaceutical packaging a questionnaire and seven interviews were conducted. From the user study answers were received that indicated on a few specific features such as; reminders when you have forgotten to take your medication and to be able to log your use.Based on the gathered information an idea generation was initiated, resulting in a variety of ideas. From interviews with patients with diabetes type 2 it was discovered that the patients used many different medications. This formed the basis for the choice to focus on solutions concerning dosage units. The work progressed with concept development and then concept selection. From the ...