Collecting resilience points for a smooth transition to adult healthcare services: Co-creating a playful resource for Spina Bifida

Background

The transition of young people with a disability or a chronic health condition, from paediatric to adult-focused health and social care services, in Scotland, is known to be difficult. There is a significant body of evidence to suggest that a transition should start early, be holistic and inclusive, as well as structured to build essential capabilities and promote resilience. The nurse-led project, reported here, created a playful mechanism for meaningful interaction between young people, families and healthcare professionals.

Methodology

Using participatory design as a framework to support development of a collaborative boardgame, guided ways to develop a ‘sense of coherence’. The ecological framing of resilience shaped the way captured lived experience, of adults with spina bifida who transitioned to adult care, was used to support developments. Experiential learning guided the co-creation of a playful resource on a journey through transition that could be used by families as well as healthcare students and professionals. We also explored ways to enhance a ‘Sense of Coherence’ and build resilience through serious game design.

Results

In this nurse-led project we jointly crafted and tested a transition game that is easily accessible, inclusive and sufficiently adaptable to fit different settings, communities and cultures. The open licence enables others to freely use and adapt this game so it could be further used, tested and validated.