Co-designing policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: a protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Policy
• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Co-design is increasingly adopted in public services to meet diverse population needs.
• Evidence of co-design in public policy development is limited.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding co-design's application in policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and synthesize evidence on co-design in public policy.
• To inform the development of a framework for co-designing health policy.
• To guide policymakers in collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Main Methods:

• A critical qualitative approach with five stages.
• Establishment of a co-design brains trust (CBT) with lived experience and expertise.
• Two realist evaluations to understand co-design mechanisms in health policy.

Main Results:

• The study will generate evidence on effective co-design in public policy.
• A framework will be developed to guide policymakers.
• Insights into how, for whom, and under what circumstances co-design works will be gained.

Conclusions:

• The research will provide crucial evidence for policymakers.
• It aims to facilitate shared decision-making power.
• The study prioritizes the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health policy co-design.