Co-production has the capacity to encourage meaningful engagement and create public value. Co-production can occur at various stages or throughout the entire participatory process and there is increasing application of this approach in digital settings. The use of digital tools further complicates an already complex co-production process. Applying the Engagement, Alignment, and Agreement (EAA) framework (Masterson et al., 2024) this case study explores the experiences and shared learnings gained from participating in a co-production process in physical and digital environments as well as synchronous and asynchonrous interaction (blended co-production). The case study called “Heart of the Matter” involved citizens coming together to use the EAA-framework to explore co-production. We problematized how to create a conducive environment for co-production in a digital context maintaining its values and principles, whether in real-time, synchronized dialogues, or in delayed, asynchronous dialogues throughout the blended process.

The aim is to examine the challenges and opportunities participants encountered when using digital tools for social interaction and collaborative learning in a blended co-production setting.  The analysis is ongoing, and we will present preliminary findings from this case study exploring experiences and shared learnings from undertaking co-production in a blended setting. 

This presentation seeks to advance the conversation on digital co-production by adding the perspectives of participants and provide actionable insights for those who are planning to engage in co-production involving digital tools. 

Masterson, D., Lindenfalk, B., Kjellström, S., Robert, G., & Ockander, M. (2024). Mechanisms for co-designing and co-producing health and social care: a realist synthesis. Research Involvement and Engagement, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00638-3 

Context: Participation in SCI research with caregivers of children and adolescents with spinal cord injury (SCI) can occur in a range of different ways. This review explores the extent to which caregivers’ participation is connected to what might be called a voice.

Objectives: To explore the voice of caregivers by collating available research with the participation of caregivers of children and adolescents with SCI, and synthesizing how the research has been conducted.

Methods: The databases CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched for articles published between January 2008 and March 2022. Descriptive and narrative information was extracted and factors describing how caregivers participated were identified using an inductive approach.

Results: Twenty-nine articles were identified, of which 28 had affiliations connected to the USA, and 25 to Shriners Hospitals for Children. In most of the articles, the caregivers were invited to participate in the research to complete or develop measures. Information from the caregivers was often captured using close-structured questions and summarized quantitatively with little or no exploration of the perspectives of the caregivers.

Conclusion: The voice of caregivers of children and adolescents with SCI in research is limited by representativeness, the pre-determined emphasis, a lack of involvement in the process, and the reported narrative. By reflecting on voice, caregivers can have their experiences and perspectives acted upon to a greater extent to bring change, ultimately leading to improved care and health for children and adolescents with SCI.