Healthcare workers co-design the future of hospital wellbeing through KEEPCARING platform

As part of the KEEPCARING project’s commitment to shaping better hospital environments for healthcare workers, a co-design framework has been designed and implemented to guide the development of the KEEPCARING Change Management Platform. This platform is a central component of the initiative to build resilience and wellbeing among hospital-based professionals across the EU.

The co-design framework, developed by the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, through its Institute on Population and Social Policies (IRPPS), allows doctors, nurses, medical and nursing students, and hospital managers to contribute directly to the design process. Participants are not just consulted—they actively shape the services and functionalities of the platform based on their real-world experiences and expectations.

Key to this approach is the use of user-centered design methods, including the Persona-and-Scenario technique. This method supports the identification of latent needs and aspirations while enabling participants to reimagine workflows and interactions within hospital systems. Through this, a broad spectrum of user requirements has been defined—from functional needs to usability and interface preferences.

Two co-design events brought this collaborative vision to life. The first took place in Rome on February 24, 2025, in a hybrid format hosted at the CNR with remote participation via Teams. The second, held entirely online on March 11, 2025, gathered international stakeholders from multiple European Union countries. Moderated by facilitators from the KEEPCARING consortium, the events enabled stakeholders to share insights on how a digital tool could support wellbeing, reduce burnout, and empower leadership.

Participants’ ideas are now being translated into actionable design elements. These contributions are laying the foundation for a robust, accessible, and evidence-based platform that puts the healthcare workforce at the center of innovation.

By embedding co-creation in its methodology, the KEEPCARING project reinforces its vision: a healthcare system where wellbeing is actively designed with—and for—its people.