Co-designing health care: Engaging people with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns, caregivers, and clinicians

BACKGROUND: Engagement has been highlighted as a means to address challenges faced by persons with intellectual disabilities who seek accessible and effective mental health care. This study explored the effectiveness of practical engagement strategies within a community-based mental health service. METHOD: This proof-of-concept study engaged clients, caregivers, and clinicians in a co-design process to create an annotated welcome package outline. Client and caregiver engagement strategies were applied and evaluated on their effectiveness in engaging study participants within the product design process. RESULTS: Being Empowered, Being Heard and Valued, Engaging Processes, and Sharing Information and New Learning were four themes that emerged from the data. Results suggested that the Project Action Team members felt engaged during the co-design process and recognised the importance of their engagement. CONCLUSION: This study provided preliminary evidence that the practical engagement strategies were effective in building client and caregiver engagement during a program level activity.