JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Collaboration with diverse stakeholders in eHealth research is fundamental yet complex. Stakeholders from various disciplines do not ‘speak the same language’ and have different levels of power and interest, resulting in contrasting objectives, priorities and expectations. An approach to constructive communication and collaboration is necessary to overcome this complex dynamic. Co-creation, known in the field of eHealth most often to involve end-users, may also be suitable to facilitate stakeholder engagement and alignment.

Objective:

This paper provides insight into the application of co-creation, specifically for the early phases of research that focus on involving and aligning relevant stakeholders from different academic and professional backgrounds.

Methods:

The case for this study was a group discussion with CARRIER members, a multidisciplinary consortium that works on developing a personalized eHealth intervention for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD). Based on stakeholder mapping, medical specialists, health and big data scientists, content developers and an innovation manager (N=8) were invited. The discussion was based on a user scenario and structured by the Six Thinking Hats of de Bono, representing six different types of thinking. The discussion was recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed with the use of Atlas.Ti software.

Results:

First, informative and intuitive thinking served a preparatory purpose, to familiarize with project details and other participants. Second, positive and critical thinking constituted the body of the discussion and resulted in an in-depth conversation. Third, creative and organizational thinking were action-oriented and focused on solutions and planning to safeguard future progress. Participants repeatedly reflected on various intervention-related themes, ranging from intervention content to technical functionalities and from legal requirements to implementation in practice. Moreover, project-related matters were discussed, including stakeholder management and time and budget constraints.

Conclusions:

This paper has demonstrated how co-creation can be of value for multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement and alignment. Based on stakeholder mapping (with whom to discuss), a dream user scenario (what to discuss) and the Six Thinking Hats of de Bono (how to discuss), participants shared information, discussed differences, searched for solutions, and moved towards a collective approach regarding both intervention development. Lessons learned may further improve the understanding of how co-creation can contribute to multidisciplinary collaboration. Clinical Trial: -