Co-creation, co-design, co-production for public health – a perspective on definition and distinctions

Abstract

Co-creation refers to the collaborative approach of creative problem solving between diverse stakeholders at all stages of an initiative, from the problem identification and solution generation through to implementation and evaluation • Co-design describes active collaboration between stakeholders in the design of solutions to a pre-specified problem • Co-production refers to implementing previously determined solutions to a previously agreed problem with emphasis on the most efficient use of existing resources and assets

Co‐creation of healthier food retail environments: A systematic review to explore the type of stakeholders and their motivations and stage of engagement

“…Stakeholder engagement is essential for the relevant design of solutions that promote incremental change and transformative innovation and suit the context of the involved parties. In this view, the co‐creation approach is sought as continuum that brings multiple stakeholders together through the research process 38 …”

“…It has been described as a participatory method for collaborative design of initiatives between academic and nonacademic stakeholders 37 . In this paper, we define co‐creation as “the collaborative approach of creative problem solving between diverse stakeholders at all stages of an initiative, from the problem identification and solution generation through to implementation and evaluation.” 38 Co‐creation has shown positive influences in education, 39,40 interorganizational cooperation, 41 creativity studies, 34,42 planning and development studies, 43 community‐based research, 31,44 sustainability of healthcare services 31,45 and health promotion 30 . The power of co‐creation includes the flexibility to adapt interventions to context including shared visions, plans, policies, initiatives, and regulatory frameworks 45,46 …”

Co-production: aspirations, challenges, and the way ahead for public health and health services research

“…Bauman 3 describes the challenges in realising the aspirations and principles of what he terms "co-creation", and describes some of the barriers and vested interests that make it difficult. Vargas et al 2 make a case for distinguishing between 'co-production', 'co-design' and 'co-creation' of research, and why these matter. 2 They define 'co-creation' as the most participative of the three in which all relevant stakeholders are involved in the endto-end research process.…”

“…Vargas et al 2 make a case for distinguishing between 'co-production', 'co-design' and 'co-creation' of research, and why these matter. 2 They define 'co-creation' as the most participative of the three in which all relevant stakeholders are involved in the endto-end research process. While one does not necessarily have to endorse the distinctions they draw between the three terms, the differences should encourage greater ex ante reflection on the type of stakeholder engagement to be pursued in a particular research project.…”

“…1 There are many forms of collaborative research practices, and definitions abound, as discussed by Vargas and colleagues in this issue. 2 While these definitional issues are important, it is equally important to engage with the practice of co-production as it is not an abstract activity. It is deeply connected with trying to ensure that the views of individuals, communities, service providers and other interested stakeholders are visible in the content and process of research.…”