Design Thinking is a practical approach to experiential learning that offers an iterative process to complex problem solving while building creative confidence, encouraging critical thinking through and partaking in collaborative activities that can in turn lead to creative and innovative outcomes. Design Thinking combines convergent and divergent thinking, visualization techniques, multidisciplinary teams and a structured approach to human- centered design that provides a much more comprehensive approach to the development of 21st century skills. This human-centered approach to overcoming challenges has direct and relatable advantages to future health professions, by encouraging and providing strategies to empathize with the person or patient at the center of a healthcare issue, while also encouraging the support and input from other professional colleagues to provide alternative insights when searching for appropriate solutions. Design Thinking is seen by clinicians as a way to “acquire essential transferable life-long learning skills in dealing with uncertainty and collaborative team working”.

The Design Lab teaches Design Thinking to:

• Undergraduate medical students (MBBS) as part of the course Innovation and Technologies in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate biomedical students (MSBS) as part of the course Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Health Sciences
• Adjunct faculty members, faculty members, academic staff and medical professionals in adhoc workshops are taught through the MBRU Design Lab Innovation Academy.

In order to facilitate the teaching and learning of Design Thinking, the Design Lab has developed the so-called Design Thinking Journey Map.