A virtuous cycle of co-production: Reflections from a community priority-setting exercise

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement

Background:

• Co-production is increasingly recognized for facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including the public.
• The concept of co-production lacks a universal model, leading to ambiguity in its application.
• This study addresses the need for clarity by examining a specific co-production exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of co-production through the reflections of its participants.
• To identify key elements that contribute to successful co-production approaches.
• To propose a framework for understanding and implementing co-production in research.

Main Methods:

• Data collected via written and verbal reflections from seven collaborators.
• Gibbs' model of reflection guided data collection.
• Inductive, reflexive thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.

Main Results:

• A 'virtuous cycle' of co-production emerged, characterized by iterative sharing.
• Six themes identified: shared values, understanding, power, responsibilities, ownership, and positive outcomes.
• Sharing is central to co-production, underpinning positive results.

Conclusions:

• Positive co-production outcomes depend on shared values and understanding.
• Shared power, responsibilities, and ownership facilitate the co-production process.
• Implementing these elements enhances the potential for community-focused outcomes and collaborator empowerment.