Integrating patient and public involvement into co-design of healthcare improvement: a case study in maternity care

Despite recognition of the importance of patient and public involvement (PPI) in healthcare improvement, compelling examples of "what good looks like" for PPI in co-design of improvement efforts, how it might be done, and formalisation of methods and reporting are lacking. In this article, we sought to address these gaps through a case study to illustrate a principled approach to integrating PPI into the co-design of healthcare improvement.

The case study aimed to involve maternity service users in the co-design of clinical resources for a maternity improvement programme, using a four-stage approach: 1) establishing guiding principles for PPI in the programme, 2) structuring PPI for the programme, 3) co-designing improvements with PPI, and 4) seeking feedback on PPI in the co-design process.

Partnership-focused frameworks and other literature on PPI and co-design informed the guiding principles. The structure included a five-member PPI group who provided continuous input, and an additional 15-member PPI group who met twice to discuss experiences of obstetric emergency. PPI in the co-design processes shaped the development of the resources in multiple ways, such as strengthening the prominence given to listening to those in labour and their birth partners, ensuring inclusivity of visuals and language, and developing communication principles informing all resources. Feedback suggested that PPI members felt valued, listened to, and supported to provide unanticipated contributions.

The case study demonstrated how a principled approach to PPI enabled service users to play a key role in co-design of clinical resources aimed at improving the quality and safety of maternity care in the UK. Further case studies, across different clinical areas and with varying levels of resources, are needed to validate this approach.