Participatory design of a sleep intervention with correctional supervisors using a root causes approach

After a Design Team (DT) conducted a workforce health assessment of correctional supervisors, they selected sleep as an intervention priority, given its numerous health and work consequences. Existing workplace sleep interventions are designed with little worker input, but participatory solutions that incorporate workers' lived experiences and root causes of poor sleep may be more relevant, appropriate, and acceptable to end-users, resulting in better uptake.

The DT met bi-monthly to complete the Intervention Design and Analysis Scorecard (IDEAS) tool to brainstorm interventions that address root causes of poor sleep, and evaluate, rank, and select interventions for implementation. We conducted a qualitative review of meeting notes and worksheets from each IDEAS step, and present our findings on root causes and prioritized solutions.

The DT consisted of two university researchers and seven members of a correctional supervisors' union, with 5-9 participants attending each meeting. IDEAS Steps 1-5 were completed in eight meetings over six months. Root causes of poor sleep included mind/body and environmental disruptions, and insufficient time. Three solutions were proposed: training on sleep hygiene, meditation, and sleep debt management; a sleep-tracking smartphone app; and a shared overtime policy based on splitting one 8-hour shift between two supervisors.

This is the first known application of IDEAS to address sleep, and targeting root causes may result in more efficacious interventions for sleep improvement. Moreover, because IDEAS guides DTs in selecting solutions with the greatest perceived health benefits, reach, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, it may result in more successful implementation.