How do you keep the public engaged and motivated throughout the co-design journey?

Understanding your audience is vital for healthcare engagements. Surveys are a common method used to obtain information about your audience. Understanding what your targeted participants care about will enhance your public engagement activities.

Determine who the public participants are. This may include specific demographic groups, community members, or other stakeholders who will be affected by or have an interest in the design process. Use surveys and questionnaires to gather quantitative data about participants’ needs, concerns, and preferences. Ask targeted questions to understand what is important to them and what issues they face. Determine what participants expect from the co-design process. This includes understanding their goals, desired outcomes, and any specific needs they hope to address through the project.

Co-design is an illusion. 1% of people want to co-design. 9% want to have their say. 90% don't care, and just want things to be better. Therefore, design with this principle in mind. It's the 1:9:90 principle.

To keep the public engaged in the co-design journey, clear communication through diverse channels, including social media and community meetings, is essential. Ensure inclusivity by fostering diverse representation and valuing participant input. Utilize regular feedback loops, interactive workshops, and virtual events for direct engagement. Leverage technology and social media platforms for wider accessibility. Recognize and celebrate participant contributions, demonstrating the impact of public input on decision-making. Provide educational materials for empowerment, and maintain flexibility and adaptability based on feedback. Ensure accessibility for all and offer continuous updates on the co-design progress.

Set clear objectives and communicate the project's goals. Involve participants early and often through surveys and workshops. Foster a collaborative environment where all voices are valued. Provide regular updates on progress and how feedback is used. Acknowledge contributions and celebrate participant involvement. Showcase the impact of their input with tangible outcomes. Make participation easy with user-friendly tools and clear instructions. Incorporate feedback into the project and communicate changes. Offer incentives for participation, like recognition or small rewards. Evaluate and adapt strategies based on engagement levels and feedback.

There should be a lot of analysis with the number of health care facilities we have in our country the medical personnels and the rate at which most of these facilities are being used which is very low. According to my own research I discovered the five (A’s) which has to be looked into to encourage healthcare providers and also bring about flow in interactions between them and there patients AVAILABILITY ACCESSIBILITY ADOPTABILITY ADAPTABILITY AFFORDABILITY If all these are been tackled there will be a lot of convenience and the trust in health care will also be established

Acknowledge your participant's presence whether a virtual or physical event. Allow them to ask questions for clarification purpose during your engagement with them. If you know their name, address them by their name (Preferably first name)

Clearly articulate the purpose, goals, and scope of the co-design process. Ensure participants understand how their input will be used and what outcomes are expected. Create an environment where participants feel safe to express their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Encourage open and honest dialogue. Demonstrate that participant feedback is being used effectively by incorporating their ideas and suggestions into the design. Show how their contributions have influenced the outcomes. Take time to get to know participants on a personal level. Understanding their backgrounds, interests, and motivations helps build rapport and trust.

Regularly thank participants for their time and contributions. Acknowledge their efforts both publicly and privately. Consider offering incentives such as gift cards, vouchers, or other rewards to acknowledge the time and effort participants invest. Ensure that incentives are meaningful and appropriate. Respect participants’ time by starting and ending on schedule. Keep discussions focused and avoid digressions. Allow for asynchronous participation where possible, such as through online surveys or discussion boards, to enable participants to contribute at their convenience.

Actively seek participants' input from the beginning. Encourage them to share their ideas, concerns, and aspirations. Ensure that their contributions are valued and considered. Ensure that the co-design process is inclusive and considers the diverse needs and perspectives of all participants. Foster an environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their opinions. Create opportunities for open dialogue and active listening. Provide training or resources to help participants understand the co-design process and how they can contribute effectively.

Co-design is a lovely buzz word, but her's what people really like: DELIVERY. So showing progress on a regular basis is important for the 99% of people who have NO interest in co-designing, and just want things to be better.

Having spent a hefty dose of time on public-private partnership projects, you need to include the public and their input in planning meetings and also WANT to include their feedback in outcomes. Be committed to this in your project goal setting. Easy ways to start doing this are to use surveys, social media communities for idea sharing, community meetings, and online forms. Be sure to work with your comms teams to expand targeted outreach and ensure public invites get to the right stakeholder groups.