JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Supported self-management interventions, which assist individuals to actively understand and manage their own health condition, have a robust evidence base for chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes but have been underutilised for long-term mental health conditions.

Objective:

This study aims to co-design and user test a mental health supported self-management intervention (MyPREP) that could be flexibly delivered via digital and traditional paper-based mediums.

Methods:

This study employed participatory design, user-testing, and rapid prototyping methodologies, guided by two frameworks: the 2021 Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions and an Australian co-production framework. Participants were 18 years or older, self-identified as having a lived experience of using mental health services or working in a peer support role, and possessed English proficiency. The co-design and user testing involved a first round with six participants, focusing on a self-management resource used in a large scale randomised controlled trial in the United Kingdom, followed by a second round with four new participants to user test the co-designed digital version. A final round of qualitative feedback from six Peer Support Workers was undertaken. Data analysis involved transcription, coding, and thematic interpretation, as well as the calculation of usability scores using the System Usability Scale.

Results:

Key themes identified throughout the co-design and user testing related to: (1) the need for self-management tools being flexible and well-integrated into mental health services; (2) the importance of language and how preferences varies between individuals; (3) the need for self-management to have the option of being supported when delivered in services; (4) the potential of digitisation allowing for greater customisation and features based on the individual’s unique preferences and needs. The MyPREP paper version received a total usability score of 71 indicating C+ or “good” usability, whereas, the digital version received a total usability score of 85.63 indicating A or “excellent” usability.

Conclusions:

There are international calls for mental health services to promote a culture self-management, with supported self-management interventions being routinely offered. The resulting co-designed prototype of the Australian version of the self-management intervention, MyPREP, provides an avenue for supporting self-management in practice in a flexible manner. Involving end-users, such as consumers and peer workers, from the beginning is vital to address their need for personalized and customized interventions, and choice in how interventions are delivered. Further implementation-effectiveness piloting of MyPREP in real-world mental health service settings is a critical next step.