Creative Problem Solving: Design Thinking in Health and Social Care from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for healthcare and social care professionals, who are interested in making positive change. The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical staff and features methods and tools that can be applied by managers, consultants, nurses, allied health professionals, and community care staff.

Topics Covered

Core principles of design thinking (user-centred design, visualisation, iteration and collaboration)
The design process, from understanding and reframing a problem, through testing and rapid prototyping, to launching a minimum viable product/service and continuous optimisation
Introduction to key design methods and how to apply them
Learning and discussion about design thinking as a highly relevant tool for problem solving in healthcare
Analysis of recent case studies in a range of health and social care settings
Regular opportunities for discussion of how design methods could be applied in learners’ working environments

Reviews summary

Design thinking for health & social care

According to learners, this course provides a highly relevant and practical introduction to design thinking principles within the health and social care sectors. Students commend its ability to make complex ideas easy to digest through insightful case studies and a well-structured curriculum. While largely seen as a transformative foundation for creative problem-solving and innovation, some learners with prior experience indicated a desire for more advanced depth and hands-on exercises.

Real-world examples enhance understanding and relevance.

"The case studies were incredibly insightful and relatable."

"The examples provided were well-chosen, and the focus on real health and social care scenarios made it incredibly relevant."

"I particularly appreciated the case studies that showed real-world applications."

"The analysis of recent case studies helped me grasp the concepts in a practical context."

Well-explained core concepts and organized module flow.

"The principles were clearly explained, and the methods presented were practical."

"The structure of the modules made complex ideas easy to digest."

"The way they broke down complex design thinking concepts into understandable, actionable steps was brilliant."

"I gained a solid foundation in core design thinking concepts and their user-centered approach."

Directly applicable methods for health and social care.

"This course was absolutely fantastic for understanding how design thinking applies to health and social care."

"As a healthcare manager, I found the course highly relevant and immediately applicable."

"It provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to design thinking, making it highly applicable to daily challenges."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work as a community nurse."

Calls for more hands-on exercises and direct templates.

"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a little theoretical, and I would have loved more hands-on exercises or templates..."

"I would appreciate more interactive elements or perhaps a more involved capstone project to really practice the full design thinking cycle."

"I was hoping for more specific guidance on how to tackle real-world health system challenges using design thinking..."

"The course provides a decent introduction but didn't quite meet my expectations for practical application."

Pacing can be slow, some desire more advanced topics.

"While it's great for beginners, I felt some parts could have gone deeper, especially for those with a bit of prior innovation experience."

"Sometimes, I felt the pace was a little slow for me, but overall, it was a positive experience."

"It's a good start, but I feel I'll need to seek additional resources for deeper practical implementation."

"I was hoping for more specific guidance on how to tackle real-world health system challenges beyond just the theoretical framework."

Career center

Learners who complete Creative Problem Solving: Design Thinking in Health and Social Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: