Testing literature-based health experience insight cards in a healthcare service co-design workshop

Literature can be useful in co-designing healthcare when transformed into a accessible and creative format. This study explores how a card tool developed from literature (Health Experience Insight Cards) can be used in healthcare co-design.  The card tool was used in a pilot co-design workshop with six participants (Male=3, Female=3). Group A included people with only professional experience and Group B included people with a combination of personal and professional experience with diabetes. Both groups used the cards, in a storytelling activity to explore the patient experience. Interaction analysis identified three types of interaction that resulted from the storytelling activity: (a) applying the insight from the card to the character/story, (b) discussing real life and (c) discussing experiences. Differences in interactions were found between the two groups. An empathetic dialogue between stakeholders was developed by the group with only professional experience. Experience sharing was triggered between the group with professional and personal experience. The Health Experience Insight Cards offer a useful way to communicate insights from existing literature for use in co-designing health experiences. In our pilot study, the cards triggered discussion, enabled participants in the co-design workshop to discuss the health experience literature, related real-life issues and people’s experiences.