Digital strolls using UniCDent toolkit-part 2: reimagining the walking method for online participation

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research methodology
• Participatory research
• Digital health interventions

Background:

• Traditional participatory methods face challenges with remote engagement.
• The UniCDent Toolkit was developed to explore patient uncertainty in dental settings.
• Dentist discomfort with group uncertainty sharing necessitated an adapted approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt the UniCDent Toolkit for online participatory research with dentists.
• To maintain participant engagement and create a safe space for discussing uncertainty in a virtual setting.
• To demonstrate the adaptability of participatory toolkits for remote healthcare research.

Main Methods:

• The UniCDent Toolkit's walking method components were adapted for virtual interaction.
• Auto-photography, virtual slide walks, and collaborative grid mapping were employed.
• Mentimeter polling facilitated trade-off discussions in the online format.

Main Results:

• The adapted online toolkit successfully facilitated participatory research with dentists.
• The virtual format maintained engagement and fostered a safe environment for discussing uncertainty.
• The study highlights the effectiveness of tailoring participatory methods for remote settings.

Conclusions:

• Participatory methods can be effectively adapted for remote research, overcoming geographical barriers.
• The adapted UniCDent Toolkit demonstrates a successful model for online collaborative inquiry in healthcare.
• This approach offers a flexible framework applicable to diverse healthcare settings and research questions.