The RCVS ViVet innovation programme, which is inspired by the Vet Futures project, the will be holding an interactive webinar in early December to introduce veterinary professionals to the concept of “design thinking” and how it can be used in the context of veterinary practice.
Design thinking is an innovative problem-solving process that anyone can use in all areas of veterinary practice. By using empathy, creative thinking and experimentation, it is a method by which teams can collectively create meaningful solutions to problems or challenges.
The 75-minute interactive session, which takes place at 12.30 pm on Wednesday 2 December, will give an overview of the principles behind design thinking, its various practical stages, and how it can be used to tackle challenges and problems within everyday practice.
Sophie Rogers, RCVS ViVet Manager, said: “While design thinking may sound quite theoretical and conceptual, it is actually a very practical problem-solving process that suits busy veterinary professionals and their teams. For example, the webinar will also be applying design thinking to the current backdrop of the challenges posed by Covid-19 and will be using examples that are relevant to the veterinary world to explore how it can help overcome some of these key challenges.
“The webinar will also be interactive, with delegates being sorted into small groups to carry out tasks that bring ideas to life and demonstrate how it supports innovation and working collaboratively.”
The webinar will be hosted by Gill Stevens, the Founding Director of Level Seven, a consultancy that specialises in merging coaching with design thinking methodology as a way to support innovation and team productivity, and Rick Harris, Founder of Customer Faithful, a research-led consultancy, specialising in customer research, proposition design and employee engagement.
You can sign up to the webinar, which will count towards the continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, via the ViVet website.