In the realm of speech-language pathology, data-driven decisions and evidence-based practices are pivotal for creating successful outcomes for children. One promising approach to enhancing practitioner skills and service delivery is through community-based participatory research (CBPR) and co-design, as highlighted in the recent research article "Community-based participatory-research through co-design: supporting collaboration from all sides of disability." This blog will explore the findings and recommendations from this research and provide actionable insights for practitioners.
Understanding Community-Based Participatory Research and Co-Design
CBPR is a collaborative research approach that involves community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process. This method aims to empower all participants and facilitate the integration of research into practice, thereby bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap. Co-design, a subset of co-production, involves the collaborative process of discovery, ideation, and prototyping to design or redesign an output.
Key Findings from the Research
The study conducted a telepractice redesign project at Rocky Bay, a disability support service provider in Perth, Australia. The project involved five workshops and a reflection session with lived experience experts and staff participants. The key findings are:
- Process Design Choices: The research detailed specific process design choices made throughout the co-design implementation, highlighting the importance of balancing idealism with realism, the value of small groups, ensuring accessibility and choice, and the benefits of learning new skills.
- Challenges and Benefits: The study reflected on the challenges and benefits from the perspectives of co-designers, researchers, and organizational representatives. Key challenges included time constraints and the need for flexible ethical processes, while benefits included improved service quality, enhanced practitioner skills, and increased satisfaction among participants.
Implementing Co-Design in Practice
For practitioners looking to implement co-design in their practice, the following recommendations are crucial:
- Prioritize Relationships: Building strong, trusting relationships among all participants is essential for successful co-design. This involves acknowledging power imbalances and creating safe, inclusive environments.
- Use Participatory Means: Engage participants through various participatory methods, such as workshops, focus groups, and surveys, to gather diverse perspectives and insights.
- Build Capacity: Provide training and support to all participants to enhance their skills and confidence in the co-design process.
- Ensure Accessibility: Make necessary accommodations to ensure that all participants can fully engage in the process, such as providing non-verbal response cards and accessible meeting formats.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research on the application of co-design in different contexts. Practitioners are encouraged to explore how co-design can be adapted to their specific practice settings and client populations.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Community-based participatory-research through co-design: supporting collaboration from all sides of disability.
