Short answer

Design projects should integrate formal mechanisms for patient and public input to ensure priorities are user-driven, equitable, and strategically sound, while also planning for the logistical challenges of such engagement.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: PLoS ONE (2018)
Method: Systematic Rapid Review
Evidence: Moderate effect

Structured engagement processes with patients and the public can lead to more inclusive and objectively based design priorities, promoting equity in stakeholder voices. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in PLoS ONE. Using Systematic rapid review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design projects should integrate formal mechanisms for patient and public input to ensure priorities are user-driven, equitable, and strategically sound, while also planning for the logistical challenges of such engagement.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Inclusive Priority Setting: Engaging Patients and the Public for Objective and Equitable Design Outcomes

Structured engagement processes with patients and the public can lead to more inclusive and objectively based design priorities, promoting equity in stakeholder voices.

PLoS ONE · 2018

Key Findings

01Engagement processes can successfully set priorities that are inclusive and objectively based.
02Processes can be robust, strategic, and promote equity in patient voices.
03A lack of evaluation data on the success and extent of patient engagement is a significant limitation.
04Feasibility, coordination, communication, and resource limitations are common challenges.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When initiating a new design project, establish a clear framework for involving target users and the public in defining project goals and priorities, allocating sufficient resources for communication and coordination.

Project actions

01Clearly define who your target users are for engagement.
02Plan how you will gather and synthesize feedback from engaged stakeholders.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key characteristics and outcomes of patient and public engagement processes in priority setting for design and development?

MethodSystematic Rapid Review

ProcedureA systematic rapid review of existing literature was conducted to identify and analyze various methods of patient and public engagement in priority setting processes.

ContextHealthcare and product/service development

Variables

IVType and structure of patient/public engagement process

DVInclusivity, objectivity, and equity of set priorities

CVResource availability, coordination mechanisms, communication strategies

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Systematic review methodology provides a broad overview of the literature.
+Focus on priority setting highlights a critical early stage in design.

Limitations

The original study noted a lack of evaluation data, meaning it's hard to prove exactly *how much* better the engagement made the priorities.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the review's findings depends on the quality and consistency of the included studies. Validity is enhanced by the systematic approach to literature searching and synthesis.

Think critically

How can design teams effectively overcome the identified limitations of feasibility, coordination, communication, and limited resources when implementing patient and public engagement strategies?

Design Principles

"User engagement in priority setting leads to more relevant and equitable design outcomes."

Incorporating diverse user perspectives early in the design process ensures that solutions are relevant, desirable, and address the true needs of the intended audience. This approach mitigates the risk of developing products or services that fail to resonate or meet user expectations.

What This Means for Your Design

Getting people who will use a product or service involved in deciding what's most important to design first helps make sure the final product is what people actually need and want.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of user research and stakeholder consultation in your design project's methodology section.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study highlights the value of structured patient and public engagement in setting design priorities, emphasizing that such processes can lead to more inclusive, objective, and equitable outcomes. This underscores the importance of incorporating diverse user voices early in the design lifecycle to ensure relevance and user-centeredness.

Source

PLoS ONE

Patient and public engagement in priority setting: A systematic rapid review of the literature

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about inclusive priority setting: engaging patients and the public for objective and equitable design outcomes?: Design projects should integrate formal mechanisms for patient and public input to ensure priorities are user-driven, equitable, and strategically sound, while also planning for the logistical challenges of such engagement. Evidence: PLoS ONE (2018).
Why does "Inclusive Priority Setting: Engaging Patients and the Public for Objective and Equitable Design Outcomes" matter for design?: Incorporating diverse user perspectives early in the design process ensures that solutions are relevant, desirable, and address the true needs of the intended audience. This approach mitigates the risk of developing products or services that fail to resonate or meet user expectations.
How can designers apply this research?: Design projects should integrate formal mechanisms for patient and public input to ensure priorities are user-driven, equitable, and strategically sound, while also planning for the logistical challenges of such engagement.
What were the main findings?: Engagement processes can successfully set priorities that are inclusive and objectively based.. Processes can be robust, strategic, and promote equity in patient voices.. A lack of evaluation data on the success and extent of patient engagement is a significant limitation.. Feasibility, coordination, communication, and resource limitations are common challenges.
What research method was used?: Systematic Rapid Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from PLoS ONE.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When initiating a new design project, establish a clear framework for involving target users and the public in defining project goals and priorities, allocating sufficient resources for communication and coordination.
What are the limitations?: The review identified a general lack of robust evaluation data for engagement processes, making it difficult to definitively quantify success.