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BME 495-0-08: Needfinding in Clinical Environments

Description

Needfinding in Clinical Environments (BMD_ENG 495-0-08/ DSGN 495-0-41) is a collaborative effort between the Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Design Innovation MS programs. 

This project-based course introduces students to needfinding and human-centered design research in clinical settings. Working in interdisciplinary teams and in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, students conduct clinical observations and stakeholder interviews to understand real healthcare workflows and experiences. Using structured design research methods, students identify unmet needs, develop journey and process maps, and frame solution-agnostic opportunity areas. Projects focus on observing a novel gastrointestinal clinic to explore ways to improve patient and provider experiences, workflows, and supporting systems. Final deliverables translate clinical insights into prioritized opportunities for healthcare innovation.

This course is intended for graduate students in Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Design Innovation who are interested in healthcare innovation, medical technology development, and human-centered design in clinical environments.

For BME MS students, this course can fulfill the restricted elective requirement. 

All interested students must complete the application by February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM. 
Applications submitted after this date may be considered on a rolling basis. 
APPLICATION

Who takes it?

BME MS students.