IRC: S.A.M Diagnostic Toolkit*

Overview

The International Rescue Committee’s nutrition program sought assistance in developing innovative ways to empower local community members to provide monitoring and treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in conflict settings throughout Africa.

A group of people gathered outdoors under a large tree, having a discussion. Some are holding papers and wearing yellow shirts with text. A man in a blue shirt is leading the conversation. A bicycle is parked nearby. The setting appears to be a community space with buildings in the background.

Role

Kevin was the project team lead and managed all research activities, including the development and testing of diagnostic tool prototypes in-context in Mali and South Sudan. The toolkit was designed to be used by community members lacking literacy and numeracy, with a particular focus on conflict settings. Kevin embedded in South Sudan with the project team for 4 weeks to observe the toolkit being used with patients in-context as well as to conduct workshops with healthcare providers to inform improved iterations of the prototype. Kevin was also cited as a contributing author to the publication “Enabling low-literacy community health workers to treat uncomplicated SAM as part of community case management: innovation and field tests” which detailed the process and results of the project.

Skills & Activities

  • User Experience Research and Design

  • Project Management

  • Prototyping & Testing

  • Immersive Field Research

  • Graphic Design

  • Workshop Facilitation

  • Rich Media Documentation

Evaluating the toolkit in-context in rural South Sudan.

(Photo credit: Quicksand Design Studio)

* - Project done while Kevin was employed with Quicksand Design Studio.