Integrating perspectives of patients, healthcare professionals, system developers and academics in the co-design of a digital information tool
Journal article, 2021

Background
Patients diagnosed with cancer who are due to commence radiotherapy, often, despite the provision of a considerable amount of information, report a range of unmet information needs about the treatment process. Factors such as inadequate provision of information, or the stressful situation of having to deal with information about unfamiliar things, may influence the patient’s ability to comprehend the information. There is a need to further advance the format in which such information is presented. The composition of information should be tailored according to the patient’s individual needs and style of learning.
Method and findings
The PD methodology is frequently used when a technology designed artefact is the desired result of the process. This research is descriptive of its kind and provides a transparent description of the co-design process used to develop an innovative digital information tool employing PD methodology where several stakeholders participated as co-designers. Involving different stakeholders in the process in line with recommended PD activities enabled us to develop a digital information tool that has the potential to be relevant and user-friendly for the ultimate consumer.
Conclusions
Facilitating collaboration, structured PD activities can help researchers, healthcare professionals and patients to co-design patient information that meets the end users’ needs. Furthermore, it can enhance the rigor of the process, ensure the relevance of the information, and finally have a potential to employ a positive effect on the reach of the related digital information tool.

Author

Annika Grynne

Jönköping University

Maria Browall

Jönköping University

University of Gothenburg

Sofi Fristedt

Jönköping University

Karin Ahlberg

University of Gothenburg

Frida Smith

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Service Management and Logistics

Regional Cancer Centre West

PLoS ONE

1932-6203 (ISSN) 19326203 (eISSN)

Vol. 16 7 July e0253448

Subject Categories

Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy

Nursing

Information Systemes, Social aspects

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0253448

PubMed

34270564

More information

Latest update

11/12/2021