Using co-creation and multi-criteria decision analysis to close service gaps for underserved populations

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Gerontology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Healthcare navigation is complex for individuals with multiple needs, facing service gaps and access barriers.
• Novel methodologies are essential for identifying and resolving persistent issues within care pathways.
• Older women living alone (OWLA) represent a population with complex needs requiring tailored support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel approach for identifying persistent service gaps.
• To generate potential solutions through co-creation with end-users and stakeholders.
• To prioritize interventions effectively for improving care access and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Employed a co-creation process combined with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).
• Integrated findings within a larger, mixed-methods study involving community-dwelling older women living alone (OWLA) and provider representatives.
• Utilized performance criteria, weights, and ratings to evaluate and rank co-created interventions.

Main Results:

• Co-creation yielded ten novel interventions aimed at enhancing health, well-being, and independence for OWLA.
• Both OWLA and stakeholders consistently ranked "Handy Help," "Volunteer Drivers," and "Exercise Buddies" as high-priority interventions.
• MCDA, combining criterion weights and performance ratings, identified a clear set of prioritized solutions.

Conclusions:

• Multi-criteria decision analysis effectively prioritizes co-created interventions for underserved populations.
• This approach integrates community perspectives into policy discussions, addressing critical service gaps.
• The findings offer a replicable model for developing and prioritizing targeted interventions to improve care pathways.