What Steps are Taken to Ensure Medical Products Are Inclusive and Accessible to All Users?

In the medical sector, real-world moments are where inclusive design crucially matters. A patient in recovery may struggle to grip a device firmly, a clinician working under pressure might need controls that are instinctive and quick to use or a caregiver with limited training could be opening a medical package for the first time. At IDC, we design medical products to meet people where they are, whatever their ability, context, or experience.

Begin with the Real User and Their Problems

Inclusive design begins with a deep understanding of who will use the device and in which circumstances. Our team at IDC look closely at factors like age, ability, language, and environmental context to avoid assumptions that can lead to user exclusion. This helps create products that work for real people in real settings, solving problems that need fixing.

Craft Easy-to-use Products

Clear buttons, readable displays, and straightforward interactions are critical, especially in high-stress environments such as hospitals or care homes. IDC emphasizes simplicity to reduce use errors and improve safety. Our article on inclusive design dives deeper into exactly how our team handles this for every medical project we undertake.

Design for Differences

No two users are the same. We build flexibility directly into design, accommodating differences in dexterity, vision, or reading ability. This includes solutions like large-text displays or controls that don’t rely on fine motor precision.

Test with a Diverse User Group

Rather than relying on average-user assumptions, IDC conducts usability testing with a variety of participants: older adults, users with physical or visual impairments, those recovering from injury, and non-native English speakers, to surface issues that conventional testing may miss.

Consider the Entire User Experience - from Packaging Onwards

Accessibility extends beyond the device itself. Our team evaluates the unboxing experience, setup process, and clarity of instructions. If packaging is difficult to open or instructions unclear, that’s a design failure, even if the device works perfectly.

Building Inclusion into Every Stage of the Process

We embed inclusive design principles across ideation, development, and verification phases. By keeping inclusion central rather than as an afterthought, we create medical devices that serve more people, more effectively.

Real-World Example: Accessibility in Action

Our Protean Injection Pen project highlights inclusive functionality in practice. Designed for patients with chronic conditions, including older users or those needing long-term use, it’s ergonomically comfortable across different hand sizes, intuitive, and reassuring. Take a look at our other medical case studies to see how our team applies inclusive design measures across a range of challenging projects.

Work with IDC Today

By embedding accessibility and usability from the very beginning, we help ensure that medical products are not only safe and compliant, but also empowering and inclusive for everyone who relies on them. If you’ve got a product that needs creating or improving, get in touch with our team and we can discuss your options and help you get started today.