Maximizing older people's access to primary health care centers in Lebanon: a co-design approach

Limited access of older people to primary health care is a pressing issue in resource-constrained countries, particularly in Lebanon, amid the ongoing crisis. The co-design research approach is instrumental in addressing this problem, as it draws on people's experiences to generate practical and sustainable solutions. Using the design thinking framework, this co-design study involved 13 older people, family members, and primary healthcare service providers in co-designing solutions to maximize older people's access to primary healthcare centers in Lebanon. The design thinking process was implemented through seven in-person workshops, complemented by three individual interviews with older people involved as advisors. Co-designers identified the lack of preventive strategies for mental health and cognitive abilities as a key access barrier and a co-design challenge. The process resulted in two solution prototypes: (i) a plan to implement screenings for depression and cognitive problems, as a new service to be delivered at the primary health care center, and (ii) a creative brief for a social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of preventive strategies to promote mental health and abilities among older people. This study suggests that enhancing preventive care to promote mental health and cognitive abilities can improve access by fostering the approachability, acceptability, appropriateness, and availability of services, as well as individuals' ability to perceive the need for care, seek, pay, and engage with care. Further research is needed to support the implementation of suggested solutions, to replicate this work in different settings across regions, and to address other identified challenges.