JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In healthcare, the use of technology is rapidly increasing, but this new technology does not always align with nursing practice. An explanation for this issue could be that technological innovations are developed and implemented with a top-down approach; which, subsequently, could lead to a limited positive impact on practice. Through co-creation, stakeholders involved, such as nurses, are able to contribute to addressing this issue. Nowadays some healthcare centers increasingly encourage stakeholder participation, which is known as a bottom-up co-creation approach. However, little is known about the experience of healthcare professionals with this approach and about the innovations it results in within the field of nursing care.

Objective:

This study explores nurses’ experience with a bottom-up co-creation approach and the resulting technological healthcare innovations developed through this approach in an academic hospital.

Methods:

A qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, was conducted with fifteen participants including co-creator nurses, end-user nurses, and healthcare managers. The data were thematically analyzed and, subsequently, organized using the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis.

Results:

The various experiences of the participants were described in four main themes: Attractiveness Nursing Profession, Organizational Collaboration, Product Benefits and Challenges in Using the Products. Additionally, numerous strengths and opportunities perceived by the participants were identified as associated with the bottom-up co-creation approach and resulting useful products within nursing care, e.g.; co-creation contributed to job satisfaction and contributed substantially to the ease of use of the innovations that were developed.

Conclusions:

The findings underscore that co-creation with nurses enhances the appeal of the nursing profession and aligns technological healthcare innovations with practical nursing challenges. Embracing a culture of co-creation has the potential of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovations within nursing care.