Co-design, production, and usability testing of a communication toolbox for delivering evidence-based health information to older adults and their caregivers

Session: 

Oral session: Knowledge translation and communicating evidence (2)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 14:20 to 14:40

Location: 

Pentland Auditorium

All authors in correct order:

Gentles S1, Ganann R1, Valaitis R1, Lokker C1, Iorio A1, El Shamy N1, Tahir I1, Okelana O1, Yousif C1
1 McMaster University, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Stephen Gentles

Contact person:

Stephen Gentles
Rebecca Ganann
Abstract text
Background: There is a need for research on the optimal means of packaging and delivering health information to older adults and their caregivers in the context of currently available information and communication technologies.

Objectives: This was a pragmatic study to 1) determine how older adults access trusted health information and identify their needs to inform the design of a communication toolbox (i.e. set of products for enhancing health content delivery); 2) apply design principles to produce the communication toolbox; and 3) evaluate preliminary usability and older adult user engagement in the co-design process.

Methods: We used an innovative persona-scenario method to involve older adults, purposefully selected, in a co-design process. We used qualitative thematic analysis of participant-developed scenarios to identify user requirements, from which toolbox design and format specifications were derived. These informed production of several communication products for enhancing delivery of pre-appraised health content on the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (MOAP) website (e.g. Cochrane and other systematic reviews). Preliminary usability was tested with a sub-sample of co-design participants.

Results: A diverse sample of older adults (n = 18) participated in the persona-scenario exercise, producing 12 scenarios. The resulting specifications comprised four themes: content, framing of content, technical formats and functionalities, and knowledge translation (KT) strategies. We developed two products; a video describing the information types available on the MOAP web site, and a redesigned evidence summary format. Preliminary testing of both products supported their value and usability, and generated ideas for further refinement. We developed a KT plan from the fourth theme.

Conclusions: The design specifications and dissemination strategies derived from this research may be useful to inform other knowledge translation initiatives targeting older adults and their caregivers. Further usability testing of the two products for enhancing delivery of health content on the MOAP website is planned.

Patient involvement: The persona-scenario method was effective at meaningfully involving users in information product co-design. Carefully selected older adults proved to be enthusiastic, creative, and capable partners this research process.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

The persona-scenario research method used was used in this study. This co-design approach involved health care consumers in determining product requirements by broadly considering their needs. This allowed researchers to identify user requirements. These were used to develop a toolbox of products to improve the delivery of trusted health content (e.g., developed from Cochrane systematic reviews) to older adults and their caregivers via the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal web site. Preliminary usability of the products developed was tested with a sub-sample of the same older adults who participated in the co-design.