Transforming Alcohol and Other Drug Education Through Co-Design.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Professions Education
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Socially marginalized groups increasingly participate in co-design research and education.
• People with lived experience of substance dependence are co-designing Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) education.
• Existing evaluations of co-designed AOD education often overlook the co-design process itself.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the barriers, facilitators, and perceived value of co-designing an AOD clinical education program.
• To understand the process of co-design involving individuals with substance use lived experience, nurse clinicians, and academics.
• To identify factors influencing successful co-design in AOD education.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design.
• Involved co-design process with people with lived experience of substance use, nurse clinicians, and academics.
• Explored barriers, facilitators, and perceived value through participant perspectives.

Main Results:

• Trusting relationships and skilled facilitation were key enablers of the co-design process.
• Challenging interpersonal dynamics, inadequate resources, and directive facilitation posed barriers.
• Participants perceived value in a process that centered lived experience needs.

Conclusions:

• Authentic co-design can transform AOD education by centering lived experience.
• Successful co-design requires adequate resourcing and time to build equitable relationships.
• Addressing interpersonal dynamics and facilitation is vital for effective co-design in AOD settings.