Conference Agenda

This paper introduces design ethnographic methods—participatory observation and visual mapping activities—used in the discovery phase of a co-design project aimed at optimising blood culture pathways for potentially infectious patients across three NHS trust emergency departments in the UK. By integrating participatory systemic design with ethnographic approaches, the study enabled clinical staff to share their insights and shape service workflows. Their engagement reshapes systemic thinking for blood culture pathways used by clinical staff, enabling researchers to frame co-design workshops and later systemic interventions for the next stage of the research project. This paper emphasises the significance of systemic visual mapping activities as a transitional intermediate research method between participatory observations and co-design workshops in the discovery stage. It provides insights and strategies for design researchers on conducting participatory research activities and engaging with participants through accessible visual materials and participatory data collection tools in complex, high-pressure contexts.