A FRAMEWORK FOR CO-DESIGNING REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES

P.L. Choo^1,2, Y. Zhang³

Background: Involving service users such as stroke survivors and their carers in the development of rehabilitation intervention and strategies have been evidenced to improve compliance, effectiveness and satisfaction. Despite the potential and importance of using co-design methodologies, there is a paucity of guidance and a framework to aid this process.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to develop a framework to guide the implementation of co-design interventions and strategies in rehabilitation.

Methods: A stakeholder group comprising academics, clinicians and policy makers was recruited to engage in a series of focus group discussions and workshops. Each member of the stakeholder group shared past accounts of rehabilitation projects pertaining to interventions and strategies for stroke survivors. Three case studies were then selected for in-depth discussions to generate key aspects for consideration in a co-design project. From these key aspects, a framework was developed using nominal group technique (NGT).

Results: The selected case studies comprised a mix of projects with successful and sustainable outcomes, across the spectrum of time since stroke, as well as evidence of input from a range of stakeholders. Keys aspects for consideration in a co-design project were generated from the stakeholder group and developed a framework for co-designing rehabilitation interventions and strategies. Elements of the framework include: i) Literature search (understanding the subject matter and current evidence), ii) Pilot survey (validating the relevance of the project with select service users), iii) Devise methodology (adapt co-design process to specific project), iv) Apply methodology, v) Assess methodology and vi) Disseminate findings.

Conclusion(s): A framework was developed to guide the implementation of co-design interventions and strategies in rehabilitation.

Implications: Academics, clinicians and policy makers should consider the use of this co-design framework to systematically develop interventions with greater compliance, effectiveness and satisfaction.

Funding, acknowledgements: This study did not require funding.

Keywords: co-design, co-creation, framework

Topic: Research methodology, knowledge translation & implementation science

Did this work require ethics approval? No

Institution: Glasgow Caledonian University

Committee: School of Health and Life Sciences Ethics Committee

Reason: Ethics approval was not required. The work proposes a framework to guide research methodology.