Re-imagining Pain Communication

Pain communication tool kit

This tool kit aims to improve the way that we both communicate and understand pain. It provides a visual and tactile language for those struggling to articulate their pain. Through the placement and movement of objects, it creates a three-dimensional map of a person’s physical and emotional pain experience. It is designed to foster a collaborative approach to communication and can be used in many different settings. Unlike the tools currently used, such as body maps and number scales, this offers a gaze into the complexities of pain and unveils pathways that can help a person express it to loved ones and medical personnel.

JURY STATEMENT

This research-based proposal tackles a difficult issue of human psychology, where communication difficulties can create barriers to healing. The approach is very promising and should be explored further in real-life contexts with a variety of users.

WINNER STATEMENT

I am honored and excited to be one of the recipients of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2023. Winning this award is confirmation that there is a great need to better communicate and understand pain, and this project is a step in that direction!

UNIVERSITY

University of Bergen

Bergen, NO

WINNER

Amy van den Hooven

University of Bergen