In solving systemic design challenges, designers co-create with professionals from various fields. In the context of innovation in healthcare practices, this study investigates design abilities that healthcare professionals develop by participating in co-design projects. We conducted a mixed-methods research approach consisting of five retrospective interviews with healthcare researchers involved in co-design projects, and a multiple case study (three cases) on the collaboration between design researchers and healthcare professionals. The three cases all aimed at designing tools for healthcare innovation. The cases differ in healthcare context and the professionals involved: Paediatric physical
therapists in the treatment of babies (0-2 years), social workers and healthcare professionals in long-term care for people living with disabilities, and academic researchers in social behavioural sciences and design research developing e-health applications for elderly people with early stages of dementia.
