Coproducing Health Information Materials With Young People: Reflections and Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Public and Patient Involvement (PPIE) in Health Research
• Pediatric Health Communication
• Longitudinal Health Studies

Background:

• Children and young people (CYP) were engaged as public advisors to co-produce health information materials about Long Covid tailored for younger audiences.
• The Lundy model provided a framework to facilitate active CYP contribution to matters affecting them, ensuring their perspectives were central to the material development process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and critically reflect on the process of co-producing Long Covid health information materials with CYP.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Lundy model in facilitating meaningful CYP involvement in health information design.
• To develop innovative and engaging health information resources for young people regarding Long Covid.

Main Methods:

• Coproduction activity sessions were conducted with CYP in schools and via video conferences, including a dedicated CYP stakeholder group and CYP with Long Covid.
• Problem-based and collaborative learning methods were employed to encourage CYP engagement in focusing on content, format, and design of health information materials.
• CYP codesigned a series of Long Covid health information materials for younger audiences through a range of methods and open discussion.

Main Results:

• Sixty-six CYP (aged 10-18) and two young adults codesigned specifications and provided feedback on early designs for Long Covid health information materials.
• A social media campaign featuring six short videos and a 12-page illustrated leaflet about Long Covid were developed and disseminated.
• All participating CYP reported positive experiences and satisfaction with the project and their involvement in co-producing the materials.

Conclusions:

• Involving CYP as public advisors led to the development of innovative and engaging health information materials on Long Covid.
• Establishing rapport and creating a safe environment (space) where CYP felt comfortable sharing their views (voice) and being heard (audience) was crucial for successful coproduction.
• Collaborating with external groups and amplifying the voices of 'less heard' populations, such as CYP, enhances the meaningfulness of PPIE in health research.