JeffDESIGN is a concept developed by two doctors who want to update medical school education by teaching future physicians to how to 3D print.

Dr. Bon Ku and Dr. Rob Pugliese are practising Emergency Medicine clinicians and professors at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Pennsylvania, US.

The two doctors came up with the idea of a Design Lab and the JeffDESIGN program. They believe that trainees can learn to creatively solve problems through their designs.

After seeing the gap between skills of recent medical school graduates and their preparation levels, the doctors decided JeffDESIGN was necessary.

JeffDESIGN is the first design program that is part of a medical school. This lab also has a secret weapon — a suite of Ultimaker 3D printers. Dr Ku explains:

“The aim of the program is to teach future doctors to design devices, spaces, and services in healthcare.” JeffDESIGN includes hands-on workshops co-taught by engineers, architects, designers and doctors.”

JeffDESIGN Offers Innovative 3D Printed Healthcare Solutions

One example of the success of JeffDESIGN is Kathryn Linder, a medical student at Jefferson, who is taking part in the Design for Disabilities course led by Pugliese.

Together with classmates, Linder is creating a prosthetic hand for a 16-year-old named Lyric Byrd. Their aim is to create a brace which will help Byrd write by hand again.

Linder says, “When we’re thinking about solutions, it’s no longer just theoretical, it’s, “How will this fit for Lariq? Is it the right color for Lariq?”

As well as benefiting patients, Ku believes designing can be an antidote to physician burnouts. He explains, “What’s inherent in design is there’s this optimism: You can design a better way.”

JeffDESIGN is the first “design lab in the heart of a medical school”. Their headquarters are in the former Second Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

The lab works as a prototyping and maker space which supports collaboration between doctors and many different tech industries.

Dr. Ku is positive about the role of 3D printing in the lab. He explains:

“People are still excited about 3D printing in the healthcare world. While engineers might be a little more jaded – just another thing to make stuff – we have shown medical students and physicians our 3D printers and all of the sudden they are spitting out ideas at us.”

Source: Ultimaker