Using Codesign to Develop a Health Literacy Intervention to Improve the Accessibility and Acceptability of Cardiac Services: The Equal Hearts Study

Abstract

Introduction

The burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) is disproportionately greater among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Health services play a crucial role in addressing this social gradient by ensuring equitable access to care. However, there is limited evidence on effective strategies to improve health service accessibility for CHD patients, particularly those that are codesigned with people with lived experience and clinicians. The Equal Hearts study aimed to codesign a health literacy-based intervention to improve the accessibility of hospital-based cardiac services for underserved population groups with CHD.

Methods

This study employed a mixed-methods approach based on codesign principles. The study comprises three phases: identifying and understanding the problem, codeveloping an intervention, and translating the intervention into practice. Phases 1 and 2 are reported in this paper and included focus groups, interviews and an intervention development workshop. Participants for focus groups and interviews were recruited from four health services in [Victoria] and included patients with CHD, health consumers from culturally diverse communities and clinicians. Findings from focus groups and interviews were analysed via thematic analysis using Levesque's conceptual framework to identify health literacy barriers to accessibility of cardiac services. These barriers were prioritised in a codesign workshop with cardiac patients, health consumers and clinicians.

Results

Thirty-seven cardiac patients, 10 clinicians and 44 culturally diverse health consumers participated in focus groups/interviews. Among these participants, eight cardiac patients/carers and five clinicians attended the workshop. Cardiac patients reported a lack of preparedness for hospital discharge and feeling ‘lost’ and uncertain about how to confidently manage their health at home after a cardiac event. A codesigned intervention—The Patient Discharge Action Plan—aims to improve patients' transition from hospital to home.

Conclusion

Using a codesign approach and health literacy principles, a health service intervention was developed to improve accessibility of cardiac services. The Patient Discharge Action Plan is currently being evaluated in a pilot RCT.

Patient or Public Contribution

Two consumer co-authors [L.F.J. and J.H.] informed the development of the study protocol. A Stakeholder Advisory Panel, including six people with lived experience of CHD and four clinicians/health service managers from participating sites, guided all steps within this study.

Trial Registration

ACTRN12624000780550p (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry). Registered on 25 June 2024.