Preparing for change: Reflections on technology design research in real-world healthcare contexts

Where technology meets care, the intersection is rich with both promise and complexity. In this evolving landscape, research efforts in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) are pivotal, particularly in real-world studies that require active user involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration. Such research often comes with practical and logistical challenges that are rarely discussed in traditional research publications. This paper reflects on these challenges through the lens of a PhD study that encompasses four distinct research phases and is guided by pragmatism and the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. Through the experiences of both the PhD student and primary supervisor, we delve into the challenges and nuances of being an outsider, addressing recruitment difficulties, nurturing multidisciplinary collaboration, managing the complexities of healthcare research culture, balancing diverse views on ethics and risk, and maintaining flexibility and adaptability. We present recommendations based on our experiences for researchers conducting HCI/HRI research in healthcare.