Mycelium work as networks that connect and bring life to land. Nature works so well, so how can we use these natural systems metaphorically to visually represent ways future ways of enabling collaboration and participation
I had an interesting discussion around my Masters project in relation to the ‘House of care’ framework. This framework has proved successful in that it has engaged people in England in managing their Long term conditions needs.
When introduced to the framework, the history of it’s adaptation was explained, from the Chronic care model, below.
The first part of the model was being implemented but there were issues with the ‘Productive Interactions’ element and the collaboration between Patients and Healthcare professionals. The framework was adapted to enable this into the ‘House of care’ within NHS England, see below
This has recently been adapted further in Scotland where defined steps have been introduced, see below.
The introduction of the community resources and assets is where the question for the project was founded.
I liked how ‘bite sized chunks’ had been introduced, this helps the user manage the whole, however I was immediately challenged by the visual structure of the ‘House of care’. It made me think of, walls, boundaries, barriers, compartments and containment.
I was intrigued at the collaborative orientated Healthcare professionals (HCP’s) section. It made me question where co design begins and how it is implemented, are professionals deciding when and where to introduce participation and how does this fit in with the concept?
The roof space, (I imagined bearing down on the rest of the building) is the organisational structure and process, giving the feeling of a top down approach.
The really positive aspects for me were the words, which suggested that the intention is to have a strategic conversation with shared decision making. However visually, I wonder if it could be represented differently.
I am positive that patients can influence how services are designed and implemented and can be co producers as experts in their subjective knowledge. This is possible through enabling participation and collaboration.
I reflected on the discussions which had taken place and it led me to thinking about systems which work within nature. Natural systems grow and develop. I thought about Mycelium, ‘A mushroom is the reproductive fruit of mycelium (or fungi) which live underground. Mycelium operate as networks that connect and bring life to the surface of land’. In relation to a framework for innovation, I wondered whether this kind of organic metaphor would be more effective. Instead of compartmentalising, the mycelium networks and connects and instead of having foundations, and walls, it grows and sprouts, bringing new life.
There are many challenges and perspectives around frameworks, and I appreciate what I may find challenging in a visual another person may find helpful. It has to be said though that when we are designing frameworks and visualising them, they need to be developed for the future. If we develop frameworks which visualise limits, we are encouraging those who use them to maintain their practice within the limitations. Surely as time moves on and change is ever with us, the frameworks we develop and the visuals which support them should provide scope for future thinking and creativity not yet realised. So then, should our visual representations reflect this?
I would be interested in your thoughts…
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