Improving knowledge mobilisation in healthcare: a qualitative exploration of creative co-design methods

Abstract

Background: Co-production, co-creation and co-design are increasingly used in healthcare research knowledge mobilisation. These methods have grown in popularity and the broad range of approaches are often used without any formal evaluation. The challenges to using these approaches are well reported yet there is little evidence on how to overcome them or how they work. This study evaluates ‘creative co-design’, a design-led, solutions-focused process developed specifically as a means to mobilise knowledge in healthcare.<br />Aims and objectives: To investigate the impact of creative co-design on the knowledge mobilisation process. To understand how it impacts on the application of research knowledge in routine clinical practice.<br />Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 participants from 14 projects. Data were analysed using the Framework approach. A workshop involving the first 10 participants was held prior to the final interviews and analysis.<br />Findings: The findings indicate that creative co-design successfully facilitates knowledge mobilisation in healthcare. This is represented by three interconnected themes: creative and visual; design-led; and creating the right conditions.<br />Discussion and conclusions: The themes highlight how the approach supports engagement and creates a safe space for knowledge sharing and synthesis in a non-hierarchical environment. This study contributes important insights into how creative co-design can mobilise knowledge in healthcare. Further evaluation is warranted to help it develop into a recognised and effective method for research implementation and service improvement.<br /><br /><br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>Creative co-design was perceived to be a successful knowledge mobilisation approach.</li><br /><li>Creative and visual tools enhanced engagement and innovation.</li><br /><li>Involving a designer was key and is recommended in co-production projects.</li><br /><li>Creating a safe space balanced power and voice.</li><br /></ul>

Engaging patients and citizens in digital health technology development through the virtual space

“…An inclusive approach to co-creation and co-production enhance patients and public engagement in projects in line with their priorities and interests, and facilitates the implementation process (30,31). The research team made a great effort to ensure and stimulate the collaboration and participation of everyone in the discussion, encourage them to share their personal knowledge, consider others' opinions and use group tensions to enhance creativity and productivity (32,33). This allowed all members to express themselves in a respectful and inclusive environment that favors successful patient engagement (26).…”

Exploring the value and role of creative practices in research co-production

“…Themes which, alongside others, are illustrated in two articles, one research (Beckett et al, 2022) and one practice (Thom et al, 2022). A third research paper (Grindell et al, 2022) highlights key factors which enable creative co-design to support mobilisation of knowledge into practice in healthcare. This paper's themes are then backed up and expanded upon in the next research paper (Micsinszki et al, 2022) and a practice paper (Webber et al, 2022).…”

“…As we expected, our authors interpreted co-production and creative practices quite broadly. Several authors framed their work around co-design and the UK Design Council's Double Diamond process (Design Council, 2021), incorporating intentional, creative activities as methods of sharing and synthesising knowledge (Grindell et al, 2022;Webber et al, 2022). Other examples included extending the co-design frame to encompass a long-term, structural component for partnerships working, knowledge mobilisation and system change (Micsinszki et al, 2021).…”

“…Creative practices support individual and collective sense-making. Beckett et al (2022), Grindell et al (2022), Webber et al (2022), andThom et al (2022) all refer to the process of making sense of evidence through creative media. Perhaps importantly, but less explicitly in these articles, is the physicality of the sense making (see theme 8).…”

Create to Collaborate: using creative activity and participatory performance in online workshops to build collaborative research relationships

“…We aimed to change some of these dynamics within the workshop design and our rationales are outlined in Table 2. Employ skilled facilitators with appropriate skill sets that were external to the C2C team and the University, to support the facilitation of a more neutral space (5). Provide space for artists and facilitators to design a situation that builds on their expertise, without the limitations that can happen when academics commission an artist and then direct them (but without having any experience design expertise themselves).…”