𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Dr. Billy Ruyobeza led a workshop with UCT MedTech MSc students focused on embedding value into the medical device development process, from early design thinking through to adoption and real-world healthcare impact.
The session was held online, keeping the work going despite the storm sweeping through Cape Town this week.
The session explored how successful medical devices require more than technical functionality. Students were encouraged to think critically about usability, adoption, scalability, sustainability, and integration into clinical workflows from the earliest stages of development.
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
• 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Students examined how medical device success depends on whether solutions are accepted, integrated, and routinely used in healthcare settings, not only whether they function technically.
• 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: The workshop highlighted the importance of incorporating value considerations throughout every stage of design thinking, including empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: Through discussions around device translation challenges, students reflected on how overlooking stakeholder engagement, workflow integration, and market realities can limit adoption and long-term impact.
• 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: The workshop reinforced that functionality demonstrates technical competence, but value is what ultimately drives healthcare impact and meaningful translation into practice.
Workshops like these continue to strengthen the connection between biomedical engineering innovation and real-world healthcare needs at UCT MedTech.
Thank you, Dr Billy, for the insightful presentation!
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