Letter to sofiarevalidatie

Hello!

Thank you for taking time for me.

I come from China, now I am an industrial design student at Delft University of Technology.

Currently I am doing my graduation project for people with Chronic Heart Failure in the Netherlands. I want to reduce and prevent the social loneliness in this group.

Hello! I am Suwen

It is a challenge, because there are many important aspects I need to know, such as doctors’ advice, patient‘s feelings and so on. I’m hoping that you could help me to accomplish the mission.

Mobile: +31(0)644724906 E-mail: S.SShen@student.tudelft.nl 1

I have a vision: Design to help patients with chronic heart failure and their families to achieve a better well-being by providing social support and preventing social loneliness.

1

2

3

2

Additional explanation 1

Chronic Heart Failure brings not only physical limitations but also emotional burdens to the patient. My graduation project will focus on providing them with emotional and social support.

2

Usually coping with chronic disease not only needs action from patient, but also family members will be involved. For example, patient needs to be motivated to follow treatment; family caregivers will lose a lot of personal time to take care of patients. Both patient’s and family member’s personal life will change due to the disruptions from the illness. So we need to support them both.

3

Social isolation is one of the commonly reported problems among the CHF patients and families. The feeling of loneliness stems from the absence of meaningful social relationships. This problem can lead to depression, re-hospitalization and even higher mortality.

This graduation will try to explore the causes of the problem and find a proper solution that can be useful in people’s life.

3

Medical professional

Home nurse

Service supplier Social volunteer

Patient

Family / Friend

It is a team work Chronic disease management is a team work, especially in the case of home healthcare; everyone shares a part of the responsibility to make it happen.

4

Your help is very important for my project The information and knowledge I can get from you will help me significantly on understanding the disease, the treatment, healthcare service system, patients and families’ problem. These factors will decide what the design solution can be.

Expertise in chronic heart failure treatment Experience with patient and their needs / problem Direct experience about Dutch healthcare system & chronic management system Perspective on a better future healthcare solution (especially about chronic heart failure)

5

Your help is very important for my project The information and knowledge I can get from you will help me significantly on understanding the patients and their families’ problems and needs; people’s lifestyle; what is important in home healthcare; future possibilities for a better home healthcare.

Knowledge in taking care of patients & families’ needs Rich Experience with patients and their needs / problem Direct experience about patients’ daily life and personal attitude, emotion and concern, etc.

Perspective on a better future home healthcare 6

Your help is very important for my project Your experience and needs will be the foundation of my final design. My goal is to improve your life quality, especially the needs for social connection. Probably you have your way to cope with loneliness, it can be valuable reference to me.

Personal experience in coping with chronic heart failure and loneliness which appears sometimes Your value about meaningful social relationship Your needs or expectations for a better life

7

Thank you very much

Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mobile: +31(0)644724906 E-mail: S.SShen@student.tudelft.nl Your help will be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from you.