Work Package 2
“It’s important the interventions are tailored to the needs and preferences of those we aim to support. Patients are more likely accept the interventions if they’ve had the opportunity to influence decisions.”
This phase involves the design of the three candidate interventions to be tested in patients undergoing major elective surgery: pre-habilitation and behaviour change before surgery; financial support before and/or after surgery; and enhanced enhanced postoperative surveillance. The three interventions are developed to target the specific needs of our target population (patients from deprived Socioeconomic Position).
The process involves engaging with healthcare professionals, patients and public in various ways including: focus groups with healthcare professionals; workshops to engage with members of the public experiencing deprivation; observations in hospital settings; one to one interviews with both professionals and patients, and inviting PPIE members to attend key meetings where they have the opportunity provide their insight and feedback.
Co-Design Workshops
We recognise the importance of ensuring patients/public representatives have an equal voice in discussions with health professionals, researchers and other professionals, which is why the co-design workshops are a key element of our research.
Held at different locations in England, we organised three workshops per intervention. Delivered in partnership with the charity, Community Organisers, they enable engagement with individuals who have lived experience of financial hardship. They have been highly effective in reaching diverse and often underrepresented groups, many of whom have direct or indirect experience of navigating the NHS.
The workshops use interactive materials - such as patient journey storyboards to facilitate discussion and allowing participants to share personal experiences, reflect on barriers across the surgical pathway, and provide feedback on proposed interventions.
Workshop locations
Workshops discussions
Examples of the storyboard materials used
We are proud to be partnering with Community Organisers and the Agency of Design in this work package
Work Package 3
This stage involves establishing a data collection platform to accommodate the Work Package 4 Randomised Control Trial, establish the best consent approach and study design for the clinical trial, develop a master protocol, and secure ethics and regulatory approvals for Work Package 4 and 5.