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Product co-design which connects the firm and consumers to achieve value co-creation is widely applied in the service-oriented manufacturing system (SOMS) to improve service quality. One of the key challenges in practice is to understand how the product co-design affects the performance of SOMS under different business models. This study considers a SOMS in which the firm optimises its product co-design effort and consumers decide whether to participate in product co-design under the selling and leasing models. The results show that the firm can always benefit from implementing the product co-design, even though consumers do not participate in product co-design under some specific circumstances. However, it does not always hold for consumers. Interestingly, we find that the free rider effect occurs when the participation cost is high. We further elaborate on the firm's business model selection strategy, introducing a threshold-based policy designed to assist the firm in making decisions when confronted with varying residual values and participation costs. Lastly, our findings indicate a lack of clear-cut pros and cons between the two business models in terms of the firm's product co-design efforts and consumer surplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth in Ontario, Canada experienced a steep rise in mental health concerns. Preventative intervention programs can address the psychological impact of the pandemic on youth and build resiliency. Co-design approaches to developing such programs actively involve young people, resulting in solutions tailored to their unique needs. The current paper details the co-design approach to creating a Preventative Online Mental Health Program for Youth (POMHPY)—a virtually delivered program designed for Ontario youth ages 12 to 25 that promotes mental, physical, and social wellbeing. Methods: The Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework guided the development of the initiative. Literature reviews were conducted to identify existing evidence-based programs targeting youth. Youth perspectives were primarily gathered via the Youth Advisory Group, comprising a Youth Resilience Coordinator and a Youth Engagement Lead, who contributed to a literature review, surveys, focus groups, and program assets. Community insights were gathered through Community Reference Group (CRG) meetings, which engaged participants from local and provincial organizations, as well as individuals either directly representing or affiliated at arm's length with youth. Results: A review of the current literature highlighted the importance of regular physical activity, social connectedness, good sleep hygiene, and healthy family relationships to emotional wellbeing. Survey findings informed program session length, duration, delivery, and activities. Focus groups expanded on the survey findings and provided an in-depth understanding of youth preferences for program delivery. CRG meetings captured community insights on program refinements to better meet the needs of youth. As such, the development of POMHPY was a collaborative effort among researchers, youth, and community partners. Conclusions: The findings highlight the value of co-design and PAR-informed approaches in developing youth-targeted online wellbeing programs, providing actionable insights for iterative improvements and future pilot testing. The resulting 6-week program, led by youth facilitators, will focus on teaching mental, social, and physical wellness strategies and skills through various evidence-based, interactive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth in Ontario, Canada experienced a steep rise in mental health concerns. Preventative intervention programs can address the psychological impact of the pandemic on youth and build resiliency. Co-design approaches to developing such programs actively involve young people, resulting in solutions tailored to their unique needs. The current paper details the co-design approach to creating a Preventative Online Mental Health Program for Youth (POMHPY)—a virtually delivered program designed for Ontario youth ages 12 to 25 that promotes mental, physical, and social wellbeing. Methods: The Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework guided the development of the initiative. Literature reviews were conducted to identify existing evidence-based programs targeting youth. Youth perspectives were primarily gathered via the Youth Advisory Group, comprising a Youth Resilience Coordinator and a Youth Engagement Lead, who contributed to a literature review, surveys, focus groups, and program assets. Community insights were gathered through Community Reference Group (CRG) meetings, which engaged participants from local and provincial organizations, as well as individuals either directly representing or affiliated at arm's length with youth. Results: A review of the current literature highlighted the importance of regular physical activity, social connectedness, good sleep hygiene, and healthy family relationships to emotional wellbeing. Survey findings informed program session length, duration, delivery, and activities. Focus groups expanded on the survey findings and provided an in-depth understanding of youth preferences for program delivery. CRG meetings captured community insights on program refinements to better meet the needs of youth. As such, the development of POMHPY was a collaborative effort among researchers, youth, and community partners. Conclusions: The findings highlight the value of co-design and PAR-informed approaches in developing youth-targeted online wellbeing programs, providing actionable insights for iterative improvements and future pilot testing. The resulting 6-week program, led by youth facilitators, will focus on teaching mental, social, and physical wellness strategies and skills through various evidence-based, interactive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare setting teams were challenged to understand how and what to measure regarding healthcare quality improvement (HQI), who should be involved, and what approach to apply. We aimed to determine if a generic co-design approach involving patients/families, multi-disciplinary care providers, and other staff was feasible to apply for HQI across diverse care settings. Developmental evaluation embedded in the co-design approach would determine its effectiveness, challenges, and other experiences across care settings and teams. Methods: Twenty-two acute and community care settings agreed to participate in applying a phased co-design approach to their HQI initiatives, including developmental evaluation. Each care setting team received co-design orientation and support. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with patient/family advisors (PFAs) and care setting staff/care providers to gather their experiences with the co-design approach applied to their phased HQI work. Transcripts were thematically analyzed and triangulated with observation notes of care setting team discussions. Experiences were gathered from 17 PFAs and 68 staff/care providers across the 22 participating healthcare settings. Results: Themes for the orientation and each phase emphasized the importance of participants' understanding, engagement, and ongoing open communication throughout the HQI co-design process. The orientation was viewed as key to facilitating good outcomes. Participants valued working together, gathering real-time experiences to "make a difference", and having PFA voices involved in co-designing the HQI initiatives. Challenges were identified, including time commitment. Conclusions: Based on the overall developmental evaluation findings, there was consensus that a generic co-design of HQI initiatives was effective, feasible, and sustainable across care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family caregivers provide most (75–90%) of the essential unpaid care and support for individuals living with chronic conditions, disabilities, and age-related needs in the community, with about half performing medical tasks traditionally performed by professionals. Caregivers also assist with 15 to 35% of the care in congregate care settings. Yet despite their critical contributions to patient care, caregivers face stress, declining well-being, and insufficient recognition in healthcare systems. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, person-centered approaches to training healthcare providers. Co-design or co-production are participatory research methods that involve individuals with lived experience to ensure relevance and impact. Objective: This study sought to understand how participatory co-design principles influenced learning, collaboration, and engagement among diverse participants in developing a caregiver-centered education program for healthcare providers. Actionable recommendations for optimizing co-design processes are provided. Methods: Eighty-five participants from a team of 155 collaborators, including caregivers, healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and leaders, participated in ten focus group sessions conducted in Zoom breakout rooms. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Thorne's interpretive description and Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants described the co-design process as fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and skill enhancement. Exposure to diverse perspectives expanded transformative understanding and prompted reflection on caregiver support within professional practices. Skilled facilitation ensured equitable engagement. Challenges included information overload and personal time constraints. Participants liked using breakout rooms to mitigate the dynamics of large group management. Still, they recommended pre-meeting materials, flexible scheduling, and expanding stakeholder diversity (e.g., rural, Indigenous, and immigrant caregivers). Conclusions: Co-design fosters meaningful, caregiver-centered education through collaboration and inclusivity. Addressing logistical challenges and representation gaps can further enhance the impact of co-design and empower multi-level, interdisciplinary partners to inform equitable healthcare education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Consumer involvement is when patients (their families, friends, and caregivers) work with researchers on research projects. While health services are expected to support consumer–researcher collaborations, conducive environments still need to be developed, with limited research into how Australian health services support this practice. This study explores current consumer involvement in research activity and staff perceptions at an Australian tertiary hospital and health service. Methods: Research-active employees at a health service were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional survey. It assessed experience with and confidence in involving consumers in research, the perceived value of consumer involvement, and considerations related to challenges, facilitators, and solutions to enhance consumer involvement in health service research. Results: Among 83 respondents, including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals, 54 completed the survey. Approximately half had experience with involving consumers in research. Over 80% recognised that involving consumers enhanced research relevance. Identified barriers included challenges in finding (46.6%) and compensating (59.3%) consumers, as well as deficiencies in researcher skills, knowledge (32.2%), and time constraints (39%). Facilitators comprised access to experienced researchers and educational opportunities. Moreover, 87% advocated for increased support to involve consumers within health services, with the appointment of a designated consumer involvement officer deemed the most beneficial solution by 92.5% of respondents. Conclusions: While individual barriers inhibit consumer involvement in research, more prominent institutional factors such as financial and technical support may determine successful and meaningful collaborations. As health services evolve towards co-design models in research, the outcomes of this study will guide initiatives aimed at enhancing consumer involvement in the research process within Australian health services. What is known about the topic? Consumer involvement is crucial for ensuring quality and relevance in research. However, limited research exists on consumer–researcher collaborations in Australian health services. What does this paper add? This study explores staff experiences and perceptions of consumer involvement in research at an Australian health service. It offers insights into barriers and solutions to consumer–researcher collaborations, enhancing understanding in this area. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners gain insights into enhancing consumer involvement in research, understanding barriers like resource constraints, and advocating for designated roles. This fosters more meaningful collaborations and improves research impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A need exists to improve end-of-life care for people with advanced dementia, by integrating available services. Stakeholders on the Central Coast of New South Wales united to co-design an improved model of care that would integrate care across care settings. The aim of this project was to co-design a model of integrated, person-centred palliative care for people with dementia at the end of life. This case study describes seven co-design workshops which took place in 2023 to develop a program logic model. Workshops were run in a hybrid format, with stakeholders attending in person and online. Workshops were attended by an average of 26 stakeholders including people and carers with lived experience of dementia, healthcare workers from hospital and community-based services (public and private), primary care clinicians, and participants from the not-for-profit sector and academia. Stakeholders developed a shared mission and purpose and identified priority areas for improving palliative care for people with advanced dementia. This led to the development of a program logic model, which included components relating to education for people with dementia, carers, and professionals, care coordination and referrals, and regular multidisciplinary case conferences. Feedback on the model from a new audience identified areas for improvement. The stakeholder group participated in a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the co-design. The survey found that stakeholders were satisfied with the model of care the group developed. This project highlighted the value of adopting a co-design approach with stakeholders to develop a new model of care. What is known about the topic? The impact and sustainability of integrated palliative care models for people with advanced dementia depends on how well these models can respond and adapt to the context in which they are implemented. What does this paper add? Applying KA McKercher's (2020) principles of co-design, this case study presents a model of care developed by a diverse group of dementia and palliative care stakeholders. What are the implications for practitioners? Co-design principles can bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to develop new models of care that benefit people with dementia and their carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Measurement of postburn injury is important to assess impact of interventions, monitor symptoms, and direct treatment. Outcome measures are important to enable patients' views to be incorporated into their clinical care and direct healthcare. To date, there are few patient-reported outcome measures specific for the burn's population, only one specific patient reported questionnaire exists for hand burn injuries. For outcome measures to be person focused, it is important to have individuals who have experienced the injury join the development team to consult and advise on properties for inclusion. The aim of this study was to co-design a specific outcome measure for severe hand burn injuries. Methods: Participatory Action Research was used to co-design the outcome measure with experienced allied health professionals, individuals with hand burn injuries, and researchers. Participatory Action Research acknowledges the depth and breadth of experience of all co-researchers. Content analysis was used to systematically analyze meaning and relationships from each cycle. Results: In cycle 1—the constructs for measurement and activities for inclusion in the outcome measure were selected over a series of virtual meetings. The 18 activities included measure patterns of hand movement, pinch, and grip strength, which can be repeatedly measured over time across recovery. In cycle 2—two rating scales were developed one for clinicians and one for patients. Conclusion: The newly developed outcome measure will require further testing to determine psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores tensions navigated by researchers and project leaders when involving people with disability as experts in co-design and in the core team. Part of an evaluation aiming to improve paid employment of people with intellectual disability is used to consider this work. Assemblage analysis of the data assisted in identifying a range of material and social conditions, flows, and factors that de- and re-territorialise power in the co-design process. The expertise of people with disability informed research design. Structural conditions of funding and institutional support were foundational to the co-design. These included accessible practices, core roles for people with disability and resolving ableist conditions. Power shifts were easily undermined by institutionalised norms that disrespected the co-design contributions. When people in decision-making positions and allies recognised the value of codesigning research, it was key to centring valuable knowledge in articulating key issues, methodology, and analysis. Points of interest: It is increasingly expected that people with disability will be involved as researchers and decision-makers in projects. This kind of co-design in research is very popular. When governments or organisations ask researchers to complete research quickly, people with disability are less likely to be involved in designing the research from the start. This reduces how much power they have as members of the research team. Our research found that people with and without disability needed to work together to resist when co-design work was not treated with respect by people or systems. Allies need to work to make co-design positions more secure. For example, people with disability need to be in decision-making positions before research proposals are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid growing environmental concerns, there is an increasing demand for creative research approaches that address impending crises while simultaneously imagining sustainable modes for humans to coexist with nature. In response, we introduce the concept/practice of "biofuturing," a creative research approach concerned with the co-design of multispecies speculations of worlds to come. We engaged 21 scholars in a 3-day biofuturing event, combining a living lab methodology with futures studies techniques and creative practices. In this article, we present biofuturing in theory and practice, and we discuss how the co-designed futures speculations address existing and emerging challenges from a multispecies perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IMPACT: To meet the future fitness of a changing public service, local government practitioners and public managers can advance more values-based approaches that are responsive to workforce planning needs and more accessible to the communities that they serve. First, co-designing human-centric public services with users to target genuine areas of need. Second, promoting good governance to embrace partnership and spread public service financial risk in finding sustainable solutions to real world complex challenges. Third, leveraging data-driven technologies that informs public service decision-making on areas of performance and improvement. Fourth, investing in training and lifelong learning to promote continuous professional development and building capacity to equip public workers with the skills for innovation is crucial. Finally, to attract gender equality, diversity and inclusion in public service recruitment strategies a more balanced approach to conflicting 'care' and 'control' practices. The authors reflect on their combined dialogues of public service innovation with local political leaders and combined authorities as a useful tool for policy-makers and practitioners in delivering a future fit-for-purpose public service. They consider this through a consideration of 'How should we recruit and retain a public service fit for purpose and what will it look like?' This thought-provoking question, initially posed in 'Public Money & Management' by Massey (2023), highlights a fast-moving and unpredictable public service landscape which is under threat from persistent financial under-investment and exposed to alarming and complex 21st-century global social, economic, political and environmental challenges. This new development article contributes to ongoing academic and policy debates on the importance of public service innovation and recruitment to advance so-called 'inclusive societies' (OECD, 2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IMPACT: Universities and public sector organizations need to work together to develop a civil service fit for the future. This article highlights several challenges associated with the development, design, and delivery of public administration (PA) programmes, such as university structures, the elevation of business management programmes, higher education's focus on international markets and a disconnect between sectoral requirements and PA programme provision. Findings point to a strong demand for specialized public sector education. Yet, they also suggest that public administration academics should do more to promote their programmes and work more closely with professionals, so that a greater understanding of demand and supply can be achieved. To shape the future of the UK civil service, the authors recommend that universities should consider developing more bespoke programmes that better meet the needs of the UK public sector. This research explores the teaching of public administration (PA) in UK universities. Drawing on evidence from three academic and practitioner focus groups, the authors explore debates over PA's status and identify barriers to PA teaching. Proposed actions to address these barriers include co-design of programmes, greater engagement with accreditation bodies and locally based programmes that support public engagement and impact. The authors demonstrate that a strong demand for PA education still exists, and nuanced forces influence programme location, design, and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contraception care is recognized as a basic human right, however, many individuals continue to face challenges in accessing adequate care. For youth, factors that influence access to prescription contraception include affordability, availability, acceptability, and youth awareness of these options. As a result, contraception uptake in Canada remains low, with 22.9% of sexually active 15 to 24-year-olds reporting that they did not use a condom or another form of contraception the last time they had sex. Collaborating with youth and meaningfully engaging them in all stages of the research process may help us better understand and develop solutions and services that yield stronger usability among youth. Main Text: We engaged in a co-design process to involve youth in the generation of research recruitment materials. In this article, we offer a rich description of the experiences of youth as embedded researchers and contribute to the methodology of co-design research by highlighting specific characteristics in our approach that facilitated youth engagement. Through a series of six virtual workshops, four youth research assistants and eight youth advisors engaged in discussion activities that generated ideas for the recruitment materials for a research study called 'Ask Us: Youth Voices to Improve Contraception Access'. Our strategies included the (i) Re-distribution of Power to Enable Youth Participation, (ii) Use of Technology to Promote Collaboration and Confidentiality and (iii) Emphasizing Reciprocal Knowledge Building, to facilitate meaningful youth participation. Conclusions: The co-design sessions resulted in the creation of the Ask Us study recruitment materials (www.askusproject.ca) and youth informed the chosen wording, colour scheme, images, and more. Our purposeful steps to involve embedded youth research assistants, acknowledge the differences and redistribution of power among researchers and youth advisors, use technology to promote collaboration and confidentiality and emphasize reciprocal knowledge sharing led to a meaningful co-design experience for us as youth research assistants. We argue that deeper considerations of accountability by academic researchers and embedded youth research assistants can further promote youth participation by enabling spaces where youth feel safe. Plain English Summary: Background: Many youth face challenges in accessing contraception care. Factors such as affordability, availability, acceptability, and youth awareness of contraceptive options may create barriers for youth to access contraception. This has resulted in a low uptake of contraception among Canadian youth. Collaborating with youth to understand their experiences accessing contraception can help us develop solutions and services that yield stronger usability among youth. Main Text: We invited youth advisors to participate in a co-design activity to generate research recruitment materials for a qualitative study called 'Ask Us: Youth Voices to Improve Contraception Access'. This article was written from the perspective of four youth research assistants who also participated in the youth engagement activities before participant recruitment for this study. Through a series of virtual workshops, the youth advisors and youth research assistants developed research recruitment materials. We, the youth research assistants, reflected on the strategies used to encourage youth participation and identified the following themes: (i) Re-distribution of Power to Enable Youth Participation, (ii) Use of Technology to Promote Collaboration and Confidentiality and (iii) Emphasizing Reciprocal Knowledge Building. Conclusions: Following the co-design sessions, we created Ask Us study recruitment materials (www.askusproject.ca). Components of the recruitment materials, such as wording, colour scheme, images etc. were informed by the youth. We took steps to involve embedded youth researchers, acknowledge the differences and redistribution of power among researchers and youth advisors, use technology to promote collaboration and confidentiality and emphasize reciprocal knowledge sharing. Based on our insights as youth research assistants participating in this process, we conclude that the engagement activities led to a meaningful co-design experience for youth research assistants. In addition to these strategies, we encourage researchers to consider how they can remain accountable in creating co-design environments where youth feel safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a multi-faceted problem that requires complex health system responses. While no single program or service is sufficient to meet every individual's needs, some criteria that increase the likelihood of program/service quality delivery to produce effective outcomes exist. However, although research on health commissioning is available internationally and is growing within the Australian context, no evidence exists of a multi-criteria decision-making framework to address the complexity required for effective commissioning of overweight and obesity early intervention and weight management programs or services. This study aimed to develop a set of criteria to support effective commissioning in this context. Methods: A mixed-methods co-design approach was used to develop a multi-criteria framework. A literature review informed a three-stage co-design consensus-gathering approach. Participants included Western Australian stakeholders from the Western Australian health system, services and consumers, who reviewed, ranked and validated responses and criteria through ongoing discussions. A deliberative forum was held between the two online, modified Delphi surveys to reach a consensus among stakeholders. Results: Through the co-design, a total of 63 stakeholders were identified: 24 completed the round 1 Delphi survey assessing 22 proposed criteria, 40 attended the deliberative forum and 30 completed the round 2 Delphi survey. A total of 4 themes arose from the co-design process: (1) reduce duplication, (2) demote criteria, (3) re-organize criteria and (4) simplify language, and 10 criteria were established: safety, collaboration and consultation, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, evidence-based, health service delivery model, sustainability and workforce capacity and competence. The criteria were underpinned by indicators highlighting relevant sub-themes. Conclusions: A multi-criteria framework was developed and its application to the commissioning process will enable the selection of programs and services that will likely have an impact on individuals' use of and satisfaction with programs and services, overweight and obesity-related outcomes and inter-agency collaborations to maximize economic and workforce resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objectives: Patients returning to the community from incarceration (ie, reentry) are at heightened risk of experiencing trauma when interacting with the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals may not recognize patients' trauma reactions or know how to effectively respond. This paper describes the development and pilot evaluation of a single-session training to prepare primary care teams to deliver trauma-informed care (TIC) to patients experiencing reentry. Methods: A multidisciplinary team including community members with lived experience engaged in a multiphase human-centered design process that incorporated interviews, discussions, and a participatory process to design and evaluate a single-session interactive pilot training targeting providers' attitudes toward formerly incarcerated patients and confidence to deliver TIC. Results: Both pre- and post-training surveys were completed by 12 TIC training attendees, which included primary care providers and staff. Trainees reported significant increases in confidence to reduce potentially re-traumatizing practices and improved attitudes toward formerly incarcerated individuals. They also expressed interest in receiving additional TIC training and learning how best to care for and meet the needs of persons with a history of incarceration. Trainees described the panel of community members with lived experience as one of the most rewarding aspects of the training. Conclusion: Centering people with lived experience in the training design and delivery produced a single-session TIC training that was both well-received and effective. Our TIC training helped primary care providers and staff move from being merely informed on trauma to having the self-efficacy to prevent and respond to trauma reactions during encounters with all patients, particularly those with a history of incarceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean diet adherence has been decreasing during the last few decades, and non-appropriate snacking habits have also been identified among Mediterranean children and adolescents. To co-create new snacks and to explore children's interests and preferences, a multi-method approach was used in the present study, including some qualitative and quantitative research phases. Conducted in collaboration with schools in Lebanon, Egypt, Portugal, Italy, and Spain, different snack prototypes were designed and tested in a Mediterranean cross-cultural context. The results showed significant differences among countries in snacking preferences and general food-related attitudes. Italian children exhibited higher levels of neophobia, resulting in lower acceptance of all proposed snacks. Some sensory and contextual insights were collected, such as Egyptian children favoring sweet and crunchy textures and "At school", "With my friends", and "As a morning/afternoon snack" being identified as linked to snack acceptance in some countries. The present study underscores the value of co-creation processes involving children to address non-recommended dietary patterns, highlighting the critical role of sensory properties, cultural differences, and contextual factors in designing healthy snacks that meet the Mediterranean diet's principles but are highly appreciated by the young segment of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore perspectives of ambulatory and non-ambulatory people with MS (PwMS) and health care professionals (HCPs) on falls and falls management to gain a deeper understanding of how a self-management programme can be designed to fit the needs of end users. Materials and methods: Twelve PwMS and seven HCPs participated in three four-hour workshops based on Design Thinking. Collected data were field notes and digital post-it notes gathered at the workshops. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. Results: Two main categories, "Managing the complexity of fall-risk behaviour" and "Embracing diversity to establish group engagement", comprising a total of seven categories were constructed from the analysis. The first main category reflects the challenges PwMS face in managing fall risk in their daily lives, and the support needed to address these challenges. The second main category highlights how engaging in peer learning activities can fulfil individual needs and improve learning outcomes for PwMS. Conclusion: A self-management fall prevention programme that is relevant to PwMS regardless of ambulation level should include the development of self-tailored behavioural strategies to prevent falls along with interactive learning activities with other PwMS. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: A self-management fall prevention programme should be customized to individual fall prevention needs and circumstances in daily life. A self-management fall prevention programme conducted online can enable accessibility for ambulatory and non-ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Peer learning in groups with other PwMS can facilitate the development of self-tailored fall prevention strategies and provide positive reinforcement to support behavioral change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of critical disconnects across sectors, actors continue to affect implementation action on sustainable development and climate action. Even when technical solutions, political commitments, and funding streams are avaiable, implementation often remains siloed and fragmented. This debate piece does not present definitive solutions or conclusive evidence; rather, it aims to foster critical reflection on how co-design, participatory approaches, Living Labs, and epistemically connected actor coalitions may help break down institutional and conceptual barriers. It proposes the SCALE framework [Shared epistemic foundations, Cross-sectoral integration, Adaptive co-design, Local enabling environments, and Evaluation & expansion) as way of operationalising the Safe Systems for Sustainable Development concept presented in Lah 2024, exploring how knowledge integration, iterative experimentation, and locally grounded solutuions can help creating implementation partnerships that last. This approach highlights questions concerning resource intensity, longevity, and scalability that must be addressed. By facilitating co-design, testing and validation of concrete solutions at the local level, the approach presented in this paper invites policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and civil society actors to engage in a more nuanced and constructive debate on whether, how, and under what conditions sustainable development solutions are considered to be viable and hence can endure even in politically volatile environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient and caregiver perspectives are increasingly incorporated into health care research and policymaking, but their inclusion in the quality measure development process often is not robust. We describe a stakeholder panel model for incorporating patient/caregiver voices in the development of patient-reported measures, the Technical Expert/Clinical User/Patient Panel (TECUPP) model. This model is characterized by significant or equal representation of people with lived experience of the disease or condition (as patients or caregivers) to the clinicians and others with technical expertise who typically comprise technical expert panels. We report key design features of the TECUPP model and how we used this model to develop survey-based patient experience measures of timeliness of cancer diagnosis. We describe benefits and challenges of using the TECUPP model and considerations to guide others who might use it as part of developing patient-centered quality measures, based on our experience convening a TECUPP to inform development of a patient-reported measure on timeliness of cancer diagnosis. Benefits include creating space for significant contributions from patients/caregivers and development of a shared understanding of patient experiences and observability of measure domains between clinicians and patients/caregivers. Challenges include time management and managing conversations outside the project scope. Measure development efforts implementing this model should consider recruiting diverse individuals, scheduling short and frequent meetings, enabling participation from all TECUPP members, developing accessible pre-read materials, anchoring meetings with patient stories, and encouraging multiple communication modes. The TECUPP model promotes discussion and understanding by patients/caregivers and clinicians/measure experts helpful for development of survey-based patient-reported measures. Plain English summary: Patient and caregiver perspectives are often considered in health care research and policymaking, but are not always meaningfully included when developing metrics for assessing whether health care provided is high-quality or low-quality. We describe a new type of stakeholder panel for advising on the creation of surveys that patients or their caregivers complete to help assess care quality. This stakeholder panel model is called the Technical Expert/Clinical User/Patient Panel (TECUPP). A TECUPP includes significant involvement of patients and caregivers in developing patient-reported measures, including multiple people who have or care for someone who has the disease or condition of interest. TECUPPs ideally have an equal number of patients/caregivers to the other members of the TECUPP, who include individuals with clinical or other relevant expertise in research, measurement, or other technical expertise. The TECUPP model helps create space for patients/caregivers to be heard and contribute diverse perspectives. The TECUPP model also helps clinicians and patients/caregivers develop a shared understanding of health care experiences and the types of survey questions that can be answered by patients/caregivers to inform the quality of health care received. This model includes challenges, like time management and managing off-topic conversations. When using a TECUPP, projects should consider the diversity of participants, have frequent but short meetings, and make space for everyone to participate in discussions, ensure written materials are lay-friendly, begin meetings with a patient story, and encourage use of email/chat in addition to spoken communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite high disease burden and heightened suicide risk associated with psychosis, psychosis education is lacking in healthcare curricula, potentially hindering students' willingness, and confidence to provide psychosis care as future healthcare professionals. This study aimed to co-design and content validate psychosis care assessment material for medical, pharmacy, nursing, and occupational therapy curricula. Methods: A nominal group technique (NGT) meeting was conducted to generate and rank ideas among people with lived/living experience of mental illness. Prioritised ideas were used to create simulated role-play scenarios for each discipline, by discipline experts. The developed scenarios underwent content validation by content experts, whereby the content validity index was computed for relevance and clarity. Results: The four highest ranked ideas based on rank scores and accumulated rank score sums were selected during the NGT meeting and used to guide the development of four role-play scenarios focusing on antipsychotic medication side effects, suicide risk, paranoia and delusions, and visual hallucinations. Discipline experts created scenario outlines and rubrics for each selected idea. Content validity indices of all items were deemed satisfactory, ranging from 0.8 to 1. Written feedback for each role-play scenario was considered and scenarios/rubrics were modified accordingly. Conclusion: Overall, this study provides a framework for partnering with mental health stakeholders to co-design and validate psychosis care assessment material for healthcare curricula. Through the integral contribution of people with lived/living experience and clinicians, authentic scenarios which reflect real-life practice have been developed. Future research is required to evaluate the newly developed materials in educational setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing use of co-design concepts and buzzwords create risk of generating 'co-design branded' healthcare research and healthcare system design involving insincere, contrived, coercive engagement with First Nations Peoples. There are concerns that inauthenticity in co-design will further perpetuate and ingrain harms inbuilt to colonial systems. Co-design is a tool that inherently must truly reposition power to First Nations Peoples, engendering both respect and ownership. Co-design is a tool for facilitating cultural responsiveness, and therefore a tool for creating healthcare systems that First Nations People may judge as safe to approach and use. True co-design centres First Nations cultures, perspectives of health, and lived experiences, and uses decolonising methodologies in addressing health determinants of dispossession, assimilation, intergenerational trauma, racism, and genocide. Authentic co-design of health services can reduce racism and improve access through its decolonising methods and approaches which are strategically anti-racist. Non-Indigenous people involved in co-design need to be committed to continuously developing cultural responsiveness. Education and reflection must then lead to actions, developing skill sets, and challenging 'norms' of systemic inequity. Non-Indigenous people working and supporting within co-design need to acknowledge their white or non-Indigenous privileges, need ongoing cultural self-awareness and self-reflection, need to minimise implicit bias and stereotypes, and need to know Australian history and recognise the ongoing impacts thereof. This review provides narrative on colonial load, informed consent, language and knowledge sharing, partnering in co-design, and monitoring and evaluation in co-design so readers can better understand where power imbalance, racism, and historical exclusion undermine co-design, and can easily identify skills and ways of working in co-design to rebut systemic racism. If the process of co-design in healthcare across the First Nations of the land now known as Australia is to meaningfully contribute to change from decades of historical and ongoing systemic racism perpetuating power imbalance and resultant health inequities and inequality, co-designed outcomes cannot be a pre-determined result of tokenistic, managed, or coercive consultation. Outcomes must be a true, correct, and beneficial result of a participatory process of First Nations empowered and led co-design and must be judged as such by First Nations Peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article profiles the development of the Melbourne Korean War Memorial and shows how a memorial can provide a sense of inclusion by considering symbolism in all aspects of design. We argue that through metaphoric symbolism we can demonstrate a contemporary memorial as an educational tool for all visitors and future generations, while honouring the sacrifice of servicemen and women. We focus on co-design research to examine how facilitated engagement with multiple stakeholders plays a fundamental role in conceiving cultural objects within an urban context, and demonstrate meaning by reflecting on the design, engineering and construction of the Melbourne Korean War Memorial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of the study was to develop a comprehensive competency framework for advanced practice nurses in Belgium. Design: A co‐design development process was conducted. Methods: This study consisted of two consecutive stages (November 2020–December 2021): (1) developing a competency framework for advanced practice nurses in Belgium by the research team, based on literature and (2) group discussions or interviews with and written feedback from key stakeholders. 11 group discussions and seven individual interviews were conducted with various stakeholder groups with a total of 117 participants. Results: A comprehensive competency framework containing 31 key competencies and 120 enabling competencies was developed based on the Canadian Medical Education Directions for Specialists Competency Framework. These competencies were grouped into seven roles: clinical expert and therapist, organizer of quality care and leader in innovation, professional and clinical leader, collaborator, researcher, communicator and health promoter. Conclusion: The developed competency framework has resemblance to other international frameworks. This framework emphasized the independent role of the advanced practice nurse and provided guidance in a clear task division and delegation to other professionals. It can provide a solid foundation for delivering high‐quality, patient‐centred care by advanced practice nurses in the years to come. Implications for the profession: This competency framework can guide further development of advanced practice nursing education in Belgium and represents a starting point for future evaluation of its feasibility and usability in education and clinical practice. Advanced practice nurses and healthcare managers can also use the framework as an instrument for personal and professional development, performance appraisal, and further alignment of these function profiles in clinical practice. Finally, this framework can inform and guide policymakers towards legal recognition of advanced practice nursing in Belgium and inspire the development of advanced practice nursing profiles in countries where these profiles are still emerging. Impact: What problem did the study address? The absence of a detailed competency framework for advanced practice nurses complicates legal recognition, role clarification and implementation in practice in Belgium.A rigorously developed competency framework could clarify which competencies to integrate in future advanced practice nursing education, mentorship programs and practice. What were the main findings? The competency framework outlined seven roles for advanced practice nurses: clinical expert and therapist, organizer of quality care and leader in innovation, professional and clinical leader, collaborator, researcher, communicator, and health promoter.Differentiation from other expert nursing profiles and clinical autonomy of advanced practice nurses were pivotal. Where and on whom will the research have impact? The comprehensive competency framework for advanced practice nurses and the collaborative methodology used can inspire other countries where these profiles are still emerging.The competency framework can be used as an instrument for role clarification, performance appraisals, continuous professional development, and professional (e‐)portfolios.The competency framework can guide policymakers when establishing Belgian's legal framework for advanced practice nurses. Reporting method: The authors have adhered to CONFERD‐HP: recommendations for reporting COmpeteNcy FramEwoRk Development in health professions. Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution in the design of the study. A patient advisory panel commented on the developed competency framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Promoting physical activity among people living with dementia is critical to maximise physical, cognitive and social benefits; yet the lack of knowledge, skills and confidence among health professionals, informal care partners and people with dementia deters participation. As the initial phase of a larger feasibility study, co-design was employed to develop a new model of community care, 'Changing the Focus', to facilitate the physical activity participation of older people living with mild dementia. Methods: Co-design methodology was utilised with nine stakeholders (with experience in referring to or providing physical activity programs and/or contributing to policy and program planning) over three workshops plus individual interviews with four care partners of people with dementia. Insights were gathered on the physical activity for people with mild dementia, referral pathways were explored and 'personas' were developed and refined. Materials and resources to support exercise providers and referrers to work effectively with people with mild dementia were finalised. Results: Three 'personas' emerged from the co-design sessions, aligned with stages of behaviour change: (1) hesitant to engage; (2) preparing to engage; and (3) actively engaged. Referral pathway discussions identified challenges related to limited resources, limited knowledge, access constraints and individual factors. Opportunities were classified as using champions, streamlining processes, recognising triggers for disengagement, influencing beliefs and attitudes, and means of communication. Conclusion: This study captured the views of physical activity referrers and providers and informal care partners in an inclusive and iterative manner. The use of co-design ensured a robust approach to facilitating participation in formal and informal physical activity options for people living with mild dementia. This study has provided the necessary framework from which to develop and test training and resources for the next stage of intervention (a feasibility trial) to improve physical activity participation for people with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Designing digital artifacts is not a linear, straightforward process. This is particularly true when applying a user-centered design approach, or co-design, with users who are unable to participate in the design process. Although the reduced participation of a particular user group may harm the end result, the literature on solving this issue is sparse. In this article, proxy design is outlined as a method for involving a user group as proxy users to speak on behalf of a group that is difficult to reach. The article investigates the following research question: How can roleplaying be embedded in co-design to engage users as proxies on behalf of those who are unable to represent themselves? Design/methodology/approach: The article presents a design ethnography spanning three years at a cancer rehabilitation clinic, where digital artifacts were designed to be used collaboratively by nurses and patients. The empirical data were analyzed using content analysis and consisted of 20 observation days at the clinic, six proxy design workshops, 21 telephone consultations between patients and nurses, and log data from the digital artifact. Findings: The article shows that simulated consultations, with nurses roleplaying as proxies for patients ignited and initiated the design process and enabled an efficient in-depth understanding of patients. Moreover, the article reveals how proxy design as a method further expanded the design. The study findings illustrate: (1) proxy design as a method for initiating design, (2) proxy design as an embedded element in co-design and (3) six design guidelines that should be considered when engaging in proxy design. Originality/value: The main contribution is the conceptualization of proxy design as a method that can ignite and initiate the co-design process when important users are unreachable, vulnerable or unable to represent themselves in the co-design process. More specifically, based on the empirical findings from a design ethnography that involved nurses as proxy users speaking on behalf of patients, the article shows that roleplaying in proxy design is a fitting way of initiating the design process, outlining proxy design as an embedded element of co-design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Place-based systems change approaches are gaining popularity to address the complex problems associated with locational disadvantage. An important stage of place-based systems change involves understanding the context that surrounds (re)produces a target problem. Community resource mapping can be used to establish the context and identify the strengths of a community that might be leveraged through systems change efforts. Approaches to community resource mapping draw on a range of philosophical assumptions and methodological frameworks. However, comprehensive, practical guidance for researchers and practitioners to conduct community resource mapping is scarce. Method: Drawing on the learnings from a literature review, scoping workshops, and reflective practice sessions, we developed a flexible, methodologically robust process called the Contextualize, Collect, Analyze, and Present (C-CAP) process: a four-phase approach to preparing for, conducting, and reporting on community resource mapping. The C-CAP process was co-developed by researchers and practitioners and was tested and refined in two different communities. Results: The C-CAP process provides robust guidance for conducting and reporting on a community resource mapping project. The C-CAP process can be applied by public health practitioners and researchers and adapted for use across different communities, problems, and target groups. We encourage others guided by differing theoretical perspectives to apply C-CAP and share the learnings. Conclusion: Application of the C-CAP process has the potential to improve the comparability and comprehensiveness of findings from community resource mapping projects and avoids duplication of effort by reducing the need to design new processes for each new community resource mapping activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides an overview of the inaugural edition of the Festival for Architecture Schools of Tomorrow (FAST), held in Timișoara in 2023, with particular emphasis on its section dedicated to #activation. The authors' involvement is presented in their roles as members of the research team of teachers, as well as coordinators and participants in the applied study. The final proposal, enriched by contributions from tutors and students representing all five faculties of architecture nationwide, encapsulates key themes such as rethinking resource utilization, fostering community resilience, prioritizing health, promoting inclusiveness, designing for climate adaptation. The intended purpose of the paper is to highlight the necessity of integrating sustainability principles into the educational curriculum, celebrating encounters, collaboration and shared values in the co-creation process of an architectural object. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Significant gaps between end-user expectations and the actual performance of buildings have been reported. Engaging end-users in the design phase is proposed to address this issue; however, practical implementation faces numerous challenges due to limited details of methods, tools and techniques for effective user engagement. This study aims to critically analyse the challenges in end-user engagement in the design process, thereby proposing a new, enhanced framework for end-user engaged building design. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was conducted, involving a comprehensive search across Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and Google Scholar, yielding 481 articles. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant studies, this pool was narrowed down to 31. Meta-synthesis of the existing body of knowledge and its extrapolation were performed. Findings: Three design approaches – participatory, user-centred and co-design exist to facilitate user engagement during the design process, aiming to mitigate performance gaps. However, they encounter significant challenges, including a lack of standardised processes for identifying the right users, acquiring and reconciling end-user requirements and evaluating designs. A new framework for enhanced end-user engagement in the design phase is proposed to address these challenges. Originality/value: The proposed framework would enhance user engagement in building design, consequently mitigating performance gaps and bolstering occupant productivity and satisfaction. Additionally, the study identifies the challenges associated with the user-engagement process and consolidating user feedback, which is often vague and ambiguous by nature. Addressing these challenges is identified as future research needs to yield better outcomes from end-user engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an efficient, lightweight, invisible, blind, real-time video watermarking system. Symmetric chaotic key encryption enhances the system’s security, ensuring robustness by randomly selecting pixels or coefficients for watermark embedding. The first-level discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is applied to selected data, embedding the watermark into the low-frequency band (LL sub-band). The approach involves random selection of data for quantization using the quantization index modulation (QIM) technique. The proposed scheme is implemented on a low-cost FPGA board (Zybo Z7-20), using a software/hardware (SW/HW) co-design approach. Experimental results demonstrate high fidelity with a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) exceeding 35 dB and normalized correlation (NC) around 0.99. The architecture achieves a balanced compromise between low FPGA area with high operational speed up to 127 MHz and minimal power consumption not exceeding 51 mW. Performance evaluation confirms the system’s robustness against various attacks, including filtering, additional noise, geometrical modifications, and contrast adjustments. This makes it highly suitable for real-time embedded video applications where data integrity is paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Digital health technologies have the potential to advance rehabilitation. The Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant (VERA) is a digital technology, co-designed to increase service-user engagement and promote self-management. This qualitative study explored staff and service-user perceptions of implementing VERA on a UK complex inpatient rehabilitation ward. Methods: Purposively sampled service-users were allocated to VERA for up to six weeks. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread and Sustainability (NASSS) framework underpinned service-user post-intervention interviews and staff focus groups, and structured analysis of the data. Seven service-users were interviewed. Nine staff contributed to focus groups. Results: A framework analysis identified themes (and subthemes) structured by the NASSS framework domains: 1. Nature of Clinical Condition, 2. Technology (Ease of Use, Holding Information/Resources in a single Digital Location, Appointments), 3. Value Proposition (Structuring Time, Feedback, Unexpected Benefits) 4. Adopters (Confidence in using Technology, Usefulness), 5. Wider Organisation. Ease of use and storage of key information in a single location were beneficial. Reliability, and provision of accurate and timely feedback to staff and service-users, were identified as essential. Conclusions: A blended approach is required to meet staff and service-user needs. The potential for VERA in a community setting was identified and requires further investigation. Learning from VERA will support development of other digital technologies and their implementation. IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION: Digital health technologies have the potential to positively impact rehabilitation but may not be suitable for all service-users. Digital health technologies for rehabilitation must be easy to use and reliable. Relevant and informative feedback from the digital health technology was considered essential by both staff and service-users. Utilising a theoretical framework that focuses on key components of implementation was instrumental for development and evaluation of Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant (VERA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-Modality Aphasia Treatment (M-MAT) is an effective group intervention for post-stroke aphasia. M-MAT employs interactive card games and the modalities of gesture, drawing, reading, and writing to improve spoken language. However, there are challenges to implementation of group interventions such as M-MAT, particularly for those who cannot travel or live in rural areas. To maximise access to this effective treatment, we aimed to adapt M-MAT to telehealth format (M-MAT Tele). The Human-Centred Design Framework was utilized to guide the adaptation approach. We identified the intended context of use (outpatient/community rehabilitation) and the stakeholders (clinicians, people with aphasia, health service funders). People with aphasia and practising speech pathologists were invited to co-design M-MAT Tele in a series of iterative workshops, to ensure the end product was user-friendly and clinically feasible. The use of co-design allowed us to understand the hardware, software and other constraints and preferences of end users. In particular, clinicians (n = 3) required software compatible with a range of telehealth platforms and people with aphasia (n = 3) valued solutions with minimal technical demands and costs for participants. Co-design within the Human-Centred Design Framework led to a telehealth solution compatible with all major telehealth platforms, with minimal hardware or software requirements. Pilot testing is underway to confirm acceptability of M-MAT Tele to clinicians and people with aphasia, aiming to provide an effective, accessible tool for aphasia therapy in telehealth settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of embedded network security has seen increasing interest in developing lightweight and efficient chaotic map-based key exchange protocols. Due to their semi-group feature, Chebyshev polynomials are widely used in various protocols to produce a shared key between two parties. However, the lack of efficient and secure methods for computing high-degree polynomials has significantly restricted their practical use in real-world embedded applications. This work aims to develop a fast and reliable algorithm for computing Chebyshev polynomials and proposes a reconfigurable FPGA-based architecture for its implementation. Additionally, the proposed hardware architecture is utilized to deploy a key exchange protocol based on Chebyshev polynomials within a TCP server-client network platform. Security analysis demonstrates that the proposed hardware implementation is robust against power analysis attacks. For a 256-bit field size, the architecture uses 3.9k slices on the Zynq-ZC702 and 4k slices on the Kintex-7, without employing any hardware accelerators such as DSP and BRAM. It achieves Chebyshev polynomial computation in 1.94 ms and 1.03 ms, respectively. This design outperforms existing lightweight key exchange protocols in terms of area-time products, making it an adequate alternative for resource-constrained embedded systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Designing for Dissemination and Sustainability (D4DS) principles and methods can support the development of research products (interventions, tools, findings) that match well with the needs and context of the intended audience and setting. D4DS principles and methods are not well-known or used during clinical and public health research; research teams would benefit from applying D4DS. This paper presents the development of a new digital platform for research teams to learn and apply a D4DS process to their work. Methods: A user-centered design (UCD) approach engaged users (n = 14) and an expert panel (n = 6) in an iterative design process from discovery to prototyping and testing. We led five design sessions using Zoom and Figma software over a 5-month period. Users (71% academics; 29% practitioners) participated in at least 2 sessions. Following design sessions, feedback from users was summarized and discussed to generate design decisions. A prototype was then built and heuristically tested with 11 users who were asked to complete multiple tasks within the platform while verbalizing their decision-making using the 'think aloud' procedure. The System Usability Scale (SUS) was administered at the end of each testing session. After refinements to the platform were made, usability was reassessed with 7 of 11 same users to examine changes. Results: The interactive digital platform (the D4DS Planner) has two main components: 1) the Education Hub (e.g., searchable platform with literature, videos, websites) and 2) the Action Planner. The Action Planner includes 7 interactive steps that walk users through a set of activities to generate a downloadable D4DS action plan for their project. Participants reported that the prototype tool was moderately usable (SUS = 66) but improved following refinements (SUS = 71). Conclusions: This is a first of its kind tool that supports research teams in learning about and explicitly applying D4DS to their work. The use of this publicly available tool may increase the adoption, impact, and sustainment of a wide range of research products. The use of UCD yielded a tool that is easy to use. This tool's future use and impact will be evaluated with a broader sample of community partners and projects and the tool will continue to be refined and improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of practical guidance about how to effectively mobilise knowledge at the pre-trial stage. Despite increased guidance on developing complex interventions in recent years, much of this focuses on the theory and principles behind high-quality intervention development, rather than the practical aspects of how this should be achieved. This paper shares the findings from an embedded, qualitative evaluation of the Collaborative Working Group (CWG) process, a structured approach we developed to iteratively refine a complex intervention prior to a randomised controlled trial. Methods: The CWG was designed and delivered to support iterative refinements to a complex intervention pre-trial as part of the DAFNEplus research programme, a large intervention development study to refine and pilot a self-management education programme for people with type 1 diabetes. The CWG comprised monthly teleconferences and four strategically timed face-to-face meetings throughout the pre-trial period to support knowledge sharing between the practitioners delivering the pilot intervention and the researchers evaluating it. We conducted an embedded qualitative study to elicit CWG members' experiences and to hear their views of the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of the approach. Data were generated through two focus groups with CWG members, four individual interviews with CWG facilitators and documentary analysis of meeting materials. Results: This qualitative evaluation shows that participants generally found the CWG to be an acceptable, feasible and useful approach to supporting complex intervention refinement pre-trial. The qualitative findings highlight five critical elements that shape the success and acceptability of the CWG approach: funnelling knowledge over time, negotiating trust, balancing practicalities, making epistemic compromises and managing power and hierarchy in decision-making. The findings highlight the need to build in adequate time and resources to support trust-building and knowledge sharing throughout each stage in the research process, in addition to the benefits of creating boundary-spanning roles. Conclusions: This paper showcases a practical approach to operationalising collaborative intervention refinement and development pre-trial, with tangible lessons and recommendations for future research teams. The paper adds new insights and practical guidance to the intervention development and knowledge mobilisation fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achalasia is a rare oesophageal condition that can affect eating behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of recruitment and assess the acceptability of a co-designed, workbook-based intervention targeting one of the most challenging eating behaviours, which was eating in a social setting. Methods: A mixed-method approach was employed, which involved pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The Achalasia Action group, a UK-based support group, facilitated participant recruitment. The intervention was a workbook designed collaboratively by the researchers and people living with achalasia, with strategies built on the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour). Outcome measures were based on recruitment and retention rates, the APEASE criteria for usability and acceptability, self-reported changes in eating behaviours, and qualitative feedback from participant interviews. Results: The study aimed to recruit 20 participants, and this target was achieved, resulting in a 100% recruitment rate. However, the post-intervention questionnaires were completed by only 10 participants, indicating a 50% retention rate from baseline. No issues were raised with completing the pre- and post-questionnaires, from completers. The quantitative feedback from participants indicated that they found the workbook activities clear, easy to understand, and complete, with the majority reporting positive experiences. Qualitative feedback on the intervention described enhanced social support and improved symptom management of achalasia in a social setting. Furthermore, the intervention met the APEASE criteria, indicating its usability and acceptability. Conclusions: This study explored the feasibility of recruiting and retaining people living with achalasia in intervention research, highlighting the acceptability of the co-designed intervention to improve social eating experiences. However, with a retention rate of only 50% at follow-up, it is evident that future studies should explore the reason behind this and also consider recruiting a larger baseline sample to ensure the target is achieved. The positive outcomes of the co-designed intervention underscore the importance of user involvement in developing interventions. The intervention demonstrated the potential to support people living with achalasia in eating in a social setting. The co-designed intervention has significant practical implications by providing healthcare professionals and support groups with a feasible, potentially effective method to enhance the social eating experience of people living with achalasia, potentially improving their overall quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently the transportation sector has witnessed several new technologically driven disruptions that have amplified the complexity of city planning and policymaking. Traditional well-established processes of decision-making in urban planning and transportation are proving insufficient to deal with this degree of complexity and uncertainty. This paper proposes an alternative approach, combining qualitative and normative urban design, with quantitative and predictive transport modelling. This requires urban designers and transport modellers to co-create goal-driven and agile transport models that act as a heuristic tool to guide planning decisions in early design stages. Heuristic modelling is informed by design optioning and vice versa in an iterative loop. A case study is presented to demonstrate how this approach is operationalized to study the impacts of automated vehicles on urban planning. Design workshops are used as a method to elicit responses from stakeholders, which are used to co-create the simulation models. This collaborative process grounds the research in real-world practice and enhances the communication of design proposals and research findings across disciplines. By integrating design thinking methods with agent-based transport simulations, this approach provides a better understanding of emergent effects in complex urban systems and improves stakeholder engagement in the planning process. This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient partners (PP) are well positioned to make meaningful contributions to healthcare through their lived experiences and personal narratives. However, researchers must ensure that patients are engaged authentically and collaboratively in knowledge generation. As part of a larger project, 4 PP were engaged in the co-design of a virtual reality video aimed at promoting an understanding of patients' lived experience with COVID-19 during the initial phase of the pandemic. This paper reports on findings from follow-up evaluation interviews with PP about their experiences participating in this project. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts resulted in 2 major themes as well as facilitators and barriers to PP engagement. Primary reasons to participate in the project were to contribute and give back to the community and make a difference for patients impacted by COVID-19. Engagement resulted in positive experiences and impacts for PP. Facilitators to engagement included feeling heard, being valued, and treated with respect. Barriers included length of time required to complete the project as well as PP health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the information needs of older people and their family caregivers, particularly around medication management. This is largely because this population are infrequently consulted in research. Health technologies such as digital dashboards can present comprehensive and timely data summaries to improve knowledge and guide decision-making. Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand current information seeking-behaviours of aged care service users and their families, and their preferences for the presentation of these types of information to support the co-design of a digital aged care dashboard. Methods: Aged care clients (community and residential aged care) and their family members were invited to participate in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews conducted over the telephone. The interviews explored how participants sought health information, how this information supported their clinical decision-making, and how they would want this information to be presented via a digital dashboard. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and independently analysed using an inductive content approach by three reviewers to identify prominent categories. Results: Aged care clients and family members sought health information from healthcare providers, aged care facilities and the Internet. Information regarding medications, medical conditions and an overview for family members were of particular importance to participants. Participants saw the usefulness of a digital dashboard displaying relevant information, and provided suggestions regarding presentation of this information. This included the use of large text, representative colours, symbols and graphs. Participants recommended being able to tailor the dashboard to individual end-users. Conclusions: By engaging aged care clients and their families in research, it was found that they had positive views about a digital dashboard that presented clinical information and was readily accessible. Such a dashboard could complement their current practices of information-seeking. However, for the dashboard to be effective for this population, several suggestions for its design were raised. Understanding the information-seeking behaviours of aged care clients and their families, together with knowledge of the information that is important to them, and then subsequent incorporation of this information into a digital dashboard that reflects their design preferences, could lead to more informed decision-making in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Individuals with neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis) may experience challenges to their mobility. While the individual needs for persons with neurological conditions may vary, thus making intervention development more difficult, identifying key personalization or tailoring variables may help to customize interventions. However, the process to personalize treatments has not been well described. It is also unclear how adaptive intervention design includes the perspective of those with lived experience. Co-design methods may be a way to be transparent about intervention development to meet the needs of persons with mobility impairments while ensuring the resulting intervention is relevant and applicable to those who will be participating. The purpose of the present article is to describe a co-design process to facilitate the development of personalized mobility programming for persons with mobility impairments. Methods: Development of a set of personalized mobility programming for individuals with mobility impairments was conducted following an adaptive intervention design approach with a co-design component. A series of working groups and individual sessions with key interest groups (e.g., persons with lived experience, fitness instructors, front-line clinicians, students) were conducted in order to develop the personalized mobility programming based on the needs and preferences described during various working groups. Results: Two sets of working groups and three individual one-to-one sessions were conducted with a total of 14 participants (n = 6 persons with lived experience, n = 4 research team members, n = 2 physiotherapists, n = 2 occupational therapists, n = 1 registered kinesiologist). From the information gathered during the working groups a set of four personalized mobility programs were developed: (1) cognitive cardio class, (2) functional strength class, (3) mobility circuit group, and (4) an open gym. Participants also discussed the onboarding process, how to effectively track participant goals throughout the programming and personalization variables. Discussion: The current paper provides a guideline for future work that aims to develop programming that is personalized to the needs of the persons with mobility impairments due to various neurological conditions. The strengths of this approach include the collaborative nature of the program development, while the main limitations were logistical in nature (e.g., scheduling, engaging all working group members). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional approaches to designing social interventions often originate from the perspectives of social engineers, overlooking the nuanced experiences of those directly impacted by the intervention. Employing an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodological approach creates an opportunity for the researcher to delve into the world of those who access services and provide a more holistic understanding of the dynamics surrounding the social issues. This paper explores the multifaceted role of IPA within social interventions, emphasizing ways in which IPA can bridge the gap between social engineers and service users within the context of student affairs programming. By immersing researchers in the subjective worlds of participants, IPA offers a unique lens through which to understand both the underlying factors necessitating social programs and also the intricate experiences of those affected by societal challenges. Additionally, the paper speaks to the educational dimension, highlighting the benefits of training students in qualitative research methodologies, particularly IPA, and its utility in designing social programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore patient and nurse perceptions of using a prototype co-designed app to support patient–nurse communication and patient engagement in bedside handover. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study evaluated usability of the app with a convenience sample of patient–nurse dyads in a 22-bed medical/oncology ward, during morning shifts. Participants were nurses, and patients proficient in English but without cognitive impairment or physical or mental distress. Patients entered healthcare questions and preferences into the app, nurses acknowledged the information in the app and responded during their usual workflow. Patient comfort level with app use was surveyed. Handovers were observed, and patient involvement rated. After handover, semi-structured interviews and feedback surveys on app usability were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analysed thematically. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Patient–nurse dyads (n = 18) used the app between March and May 2023. Patients were mostly older (median 69.5 years; IQR 52.3, 75), female, and frequent users of smartphones. Nurses were mostly younger (median 23 years; IQR 21, 40) and female. Five themes were identified, which indicated that using the app empowered patients to engage in healthcare communications, facilitated opportunities for patient-centred information sharing, and refocused nurses' attention onto patient-centred care. Views differed on the app's influence on patient involvement in handover. Surveys (n = 36, 100%) indicated that the interface was easy to navigate, features were useful, and only minor amendments were suggested. Conclusion: This prototype app shows potential to facilitate patient-centred communication and patient engagement with health care, including bedside handover. With further refinement and testing, this app could enhance experiences of care and reduce harm from miscommunication. What is known about the topic? Involving patients in communications about their health care can improve the experience and quality of care and reduce miscommunication. Digital technologies, such as mobile apps, can enable patient-centred care through improved patient–clinician communication, however, their utility for patient–bedside nurse communication has not been widely studied. What does this paper add? This prototype app shows early promise for enabling patients to articulate their care priorities to bedside nurses, and to facilitate patient-centred care. However, user perceptions regarding the influence of the app on patient involvement in bedside handover were mixed. What are the implications for practitioners? This digital app has potential to improve the safety and quality of care through improved patient–nurse communication about what matters most to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental health personal safety tools aim to promote a recovery focus and empower an individualised approach to consumer care. These clinical tools are predominantly utilised in acute mental health settings with a person during or straight after a crisis. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding the preparation of personal safety tools in non‐acute mental health settings. This descriptive article discusses the learnings and outcomes from a co‐designed project that aimed to develop a personal safety tool suitable for a community mental health rehabilitation setting. Methods: Seven people with lived experience engaging within a mental health community‐based rehabilitation service were recruited through convenience sampling to participate in the co‐design project. A focus group approach was utilised during four group meetings to develop a personal safety tool template. Experiences and ideas about safety planning were transcribed during meetings and thematic analysis extracted key themes. Five steps underpinned the co‐design process that included identifying the need, establishing the co‐design group, planning, design and development, and review and closure. Consumer and community involvement: Consumer involvement commenced at step two of the co‐design process. The completed personal safety tool was designed with consumer input and review. Findings: The personal safety tool consisted of nine intervention components. Four key themes emerged from focus group meetings that informed the content of the tool: (i) ensuring the personal safety tool is individualised and meaningful, (ii) promoting exploration of personal strengths and interests, (iii) enabling opportunities to learn self‐management skills, and (iv) treating the personal safety tool as a dynamic and adaptable tool. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a personal safety tool targeted to a mental health community‐based rehabilitation setting should have an individualised and preventative focus to mental health care. Embedding co‐design principles can support opportunities for meaningful consumer engagement and establishing consumer and clinician partnerships. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Mental health personal safety tools aim to promote a recovery focus and personalised approach to consumer care. These tools are commonly used within hospital settings either during or after a mental health crisis. Currently, there is limited research exploring personal safety tools targeted to mental health consumers living in the community setting. This project aimed to develop a personal safety tool suitable for a community mental health rehabilitation setting as a collaboration between people with lived experience and occupational therapists. There were five steps that guided this project. People with lived experience engaged in this project from the second step. Four meetings were held where people with lived experience shared their feedback and personal experiences in safety planning. This feedback was used to inform the content of the co‐developed personal safety tool. Findings demonstrated that there were four primary discussion areas: (i) making the personal safety tool meaningful to the person, (ii) including personal strengths and interests, (iii) skill development opportunities, and (iv) ensuring the safety tool can adapt to the person's needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines the use of a co-design methodological approach aimed at optimizing perioperative care experiences for ethnically diverse older adults and their family carers. The research involved three phases. In Phase 1, the foundation was established with the formation of a Core Advisory Group comprising key informants, including health consumers. This initial phase focused on forming relationships and conducting a literature review to inform subsequent stages of the research. Phase 2 progressed to data collection, where a qualitative survey on perioperative experiences was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were held with patients, their family carers, and perioperative staff. Phase 3 advanced the co-design process through a workshop involving patients, family carers, perioperative staff, and key stakeholders. Workshop participants collaborated on potential practice changes, proposing strategies for future clinical implementation. While data analysis and reporting for Phases 2 and 3 are forthcoming, the continued involvement of the Core Advisory Group ensures ongoing consensus-building on health consumer needs. This methodology article adopts a prospective stance, with findings to be presented in subsequent scholarly works. Use of this methodology will help to determine how the use of a co-design approach may impact the development of culturally responsive perioperative nursing care for those from ethnically diverse communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that modulating the gut microbiota during pregnancy may help prevent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The Healthy Gut Diet study is a complex behaviour change intervention co‐designed with women who have a lived experience of GDM. The aim of the study was to describe the development of the behaviour change dietary intervention, the Healthy Gut Diet. Methods: This study followed the process for designing behaviour change interventions using the Behaviour Change Wheel. Six researchers and 12 women with lived experience participated in online workshops to co‐design the Healthy Gut Diet intervention. This included "diagnosing" the barriers and enablers to two target behaviours: eating more plant foods and eating less ultra processed/saturated fat containing foods. Content analysis of the workshop transcripts and activities was undertaken, underpinned by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM‐B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results: Barriers and enablers to the target behaviours were described across all six COM‐B components and 10 TDF domains. The intervention functions for the Healthy Gut Diet were education, enablement, environmental restructuring, persuasion and incentivisation. Forty behaviour change techniques were integrated into five modes of delivery for the Healthy Gut Diet intervention. The feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the Healthy Gut Diet is being tested within a randomised controlled trial. Conclusions: Using the Behaviour Change Wheel process in partnership with consumers resulted in a clearly described complex intervention targeting barriers and enablers of dietary behaviour change to improve the gut microbiota diversity in pregnant women. Highlights: The Healthy Gut Diet study is a dietary behaviour change intervention aiming to modulate the gut microbiota during pregnancy to help prevent gestational diabetes mellitus that was co‐designed with lived experience experts and researchers.The Capability, Opportunity and Motivation‐Behaviour (COM‐B) model was used to identify barriers and enablers to the target behaviours which informed a behaviour intervention design process using the Behaviour Change Wheel.The systematic co‐design process with consumers led to a tailored intervention that addresses not only knowledge and skills but also environmental and social influences, underpinned by 40 behaviour change techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, computer vision algorithms have improved from conventional image processing to deep learning approaches. Meanwhile, complex but flexible FPGA-based platforms have made possible the development of challenging real-time heterogeneous systems for visual object tracking (VOT). This study presents a comprehensive review of design methodologies, algorithms, and evaluation techniques of 21 FPGA-based VOT systems reported in literature from 2017 to 2023. Five design methodology categories are described: Region matching, Feature matching, Machine learning, Deep learning, and Hybrid systems. FPGA, SoC-FPGA and MPSoC platforms for VOT system implementations are considered. Relevant evaluation techniques and metrics are reviewed as part of dataset benchmarks or toy datasets. In order to propose an insight of the FPGA-based VOT systems, each topic presents their comparative analysis and discussion. Finally, main conclusions, recommendations and perspectives are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Co-design' problems try to simultaneously design the physical and control components to improve the overall system performance. However, existing co-design paradigms cannot deal with complex frequency temporal domain specifications. In this paper, we investigate the co-design problem for a class of linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems with frequency temporal domain specifications. Firstly, the frequency temporal domain specifications are written in a formal language called spectral temporal logic (STL). Secondly, the satisfaction conditions of the spectral temporal logic specifications have been transformed into non-linear matrices inequality forms with necessary and sufficient conditions. Thirdly, the co-design problem is transformed into a non-convex optimisation problem with mixed-integer linear matrix inequalities (MILMIs) constraints, and then an iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the co-design problem with semidefinite programming (SDP). Finally, the performance of the algorithm and the expressiveness of spectral temporal logic are illustrated with the applications to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects on how co-design processes in self-organised planned neighbourhoods can benefit from taking more consciously into account different views on defining and designing with scarcity. In a four year PhD study on self-organised design processes in spatial planning of commercial streets, it was observed that scarcity is often defined as a condition defined by an insufficiency of resources. This limited view leads to unidirectional urban planning processes, insufficiently responding to very diverse experiences of scarcity in African cities. The PhD study developed a design anthropological approach by engaging in daily co-working interactions with plot owners and tenants to enable a deeper understanding of their everyday urban realities and thus what is scarce. Differently from some reported co-design trajectories with organisations and authorities in western contexts, residents often do not have the means or time to engage in intensive participatory design trajectories. Therefore, we see a need for more attention for co-designing methods and tools that tap into the social and physical assets and related experiences of scarcity already present in daily life. Such methods and tools can be flexibly employed by the vast actors in their self-organised planning processes in urban Africa where scarcity is a major concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the inherent challenges within the urban design process. It argues for the importance of co-design, a collaborative approach involving stakeholders. Through the lenses of 'collaborative rationality' and 'design thinking', the study explores the implementation of co-design. Employing qualitative methods including content analysis and specialised techniques, the research aims to develop a conceptual framework for operationalising co-design during the design stage. This framework emphasises fostering mutual understanding among stakeholders. It will be structured as a multi-level and multi-factorial process, existing within a cyclical model of discovery, ideation, conceptualisation, and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]