In this episode of Consumer Health Partnerships, we speak with Anja Christoffersen from Champion Health Agency and Dr. Jeremy Kerr from QUT Design Lab about the importance and application of co-design in the healthcare sector.

Anja and Jeremy share their extensive experience in co-designing health services and projects, highlighting the need for genuine consumer collaboration. Discussing their respective roles and achievements, including Jeremy's project on resources for health professionals and Anja's integrated design methods. They aim to demystify co-design, explaining its methods and the significance of creative and empathetic collaboration. As well as addressing the benefits and challenges involved in implementing co-design practices in healthcare environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Participation Importance: Highlighting that co-design needs practical participation to fully understand its value.
• Co-Design Methods: Various methods like journey mapping and empathy mapping are critical in understanding lived and professional experiences.
• Starting Small: They recommend starting small with co-design methods, focusing on comfort and practicality.
• Framework Adaptability: Emphasising that co-design frameworks must be adaptable to different contexts and needs.
• Creative Collaboration: Successful co-design relies on creativity and empathetic collaboration, with no predetermined outcomes.

Links & Resources:

• Anja Christoffersen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-christoffersen-999446152/
• Jeremy Kerr: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/jeremy.kerr
• QUT, School of Design: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/faculty-of-creative-industries-education-social-justice/school-of-design
• Design for Health: https://research.qut.edu.au/designlab/programs/

References mentioned by Jeremy during the podcast:

• Link for the book via Australian distributor (cheaper than international publishers): https://www.hachette.com.au/jeremy-kerr/the-art-of-co-design-solving-problems-through-creative-collaboration
• Eating disorder co-design podcast link (In Full Bloom): https://open.spotify.com/show/6uhfJm0F2oUFOEdW1Y4K1W (it’s on Apple podcasts too!)

Consumer Health Partnerships is a podcast for healthcare stakeholders that spotlights the synergistic power of partnering with consumers to share a human-centred health system. We share inspiring stories and practical strategies from healthcare professionals at the forefront of embracing a human-centred approach to patient experience and co-design. We are redefining care by respecting their patients’ equal place in conversations about their health.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Consumer Health Partnerships, we speak with Tracey Johnson (CEO of Inala Primary Care), Dr Suzanne Williams (Senior Clinician at Inala Primary Care), and Veronica (a longstanding patient of Inala Primary Care) about the importance of collaboration and communication in healthcare settings, particularly in the context of patient-clinician partnerships.

Discussing the challenges and solutions in fostering effective communication between hospitals and general practitioners (GPs) and the vital role of patient-clinician relationships in achieving positive health outcomes. Veronica shares her patient perspective on continuity of care and the importance of mutual respect. Dr Suzanne Williams highlights instances where strong partnerships have significantly improved mental health outcomes. Tracey Johnson provides insights into system-level improvements and the need for better recognition and funding for general practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of Asking Questions: They emphasise always asking questions to avoid assumptions in medical care.
• Positive Patient Outcomes: Effective patient-clinician partnerships lead to better mental health and reduced serious issues.
• Economic Efficiency: HIghlighting the need for better recognition and funding for general practices compared to hospital care.
• Listening to patients matters: Assumptions about patient needs and preferences should be avoided; always ask for patient input.
• Building trust through support: Patient recognition and encouragement are crucial for fostering trust and compliance with healthcare regimens.
• Communication Challenges: They point out the communication gap between hospitals and GPs and the need for more respect for patient knowledge.

Links & Resources:

• Tracey Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atraceyjohnson/
• Inala Primary Care: https://inalaprimarycare.org.au/

“Consumer Health Partnerships” is a podcast for healthcare stakeholders that spotlights the synergistic power of partnering with consumers to share a human-centred health system. We share inspiring stories and practical strategies from healthcare professionals at the forefront of embracing a human-centred approach to patient experience and co-design. We are redefining care by respecting their patients’ equal place in conversations about their health.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Consumer Health Partnerships, we speak with Clayton Fletcher, Consumer Carer Senior Consultant, and Emma Hart, the Director of Nursing from Child and Youth Mental Health Service at Children's Health Queensland, about the impact and importance of co-design in creating effective mental health care systems.

Emma and Clayton discuss the success of their Jacaranda co-design project, which has had a profound influence on both the physical design of healthcare facilities and the delivery of services. Sharing insights into the collaborative processes involving consumers, carers, and clinicians that underpin their work, and highlight the importance of mutual respect, active feedback, and the inclusion of lived experiences in developing a care model. While also recounting memorable experiences and feedback that have shaped their current approach.

Key Takeaways:

• Recovery-focused building designs: The Jacaranda co-design project has fundamentally influenced building designs and services, focusing on recovery and community.
• Facilitating youth feedback: Clayton Fletcher's flexible role includes observing, engaging in, and facilitating feedback-driven group activities designed with young people.
• Lived experiences in healthcare: Emma Hart stresses the importance of embedding lived experiences into healthcare services to ensure they meet diverse needs.
• Holistic Co-design care: They both underscore the value of co-design by involving all stakeholders from the project's beginning to develop a holistic care model.
• Respect and recognition in teams: Respect and mutual recognition within a multidisciplinary team are crucial for effective and innovative healthcare delivery.

Links & Resources:

• Emma Hart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hart-48797aa5/
• Jacaranda Place:

1. https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/services/locations/jacaranda-place
2. https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/resources/health-services/welcome-to-jacaranda-place

"Consumer Health Partnerships” is a podcast for healthcare stakeholders that spotlights the synergistic power of partnering with consumers to share a human-centred health system. We share inspiring stories and practical strategies from healthcare professionals at the forefront of embracing a human-centred approach to patient experience and co-design. We are redefining care by respecting their patients’ equal place in conversations about their health.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.