Co-designing Digital Health initiatives with remote Indigenous communities in the NT

Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in remote communities face worse health outcomes than that of the general population, largely due to the high burden of disease, multi-morbidity, and limited access to comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) services. Digital health technologies have significant potential to address these disparities, but only if they are applied in a culturally safe way that meets the unique needs of these communities. Comprehensive research in this area is currently lacking, with most studies focusing on the design and implementation of single technologies or taking a superficial approach to engagement.   Our project aims to address these gaps by adopting a participatory, action-based research approach, in collaboration with consumers and healthcare providers in three remote communities in the Northern Territory. Through this collaboration, we aim to prioritise, design, implement, and evaluate different Digital Health solutions that can provide enhanced access to CPHC. This presentation will reflect on the methods employed thus far to actively involve communities and stakeholders, embedding co-design at all phases of project delivery. Central to our approach is the employment of local community-based researchers and continuous engagement with community members and healthcare providers, facilitating deep understanding of these communities’ unique needs. This engagement has so far led to the development of user personas and patient journey maps that capture the diverse characteristics of community members and their interactions with the healthcare system. Additionally, establishing robust governance structures with representation from key stakeholders has facilitated quick action in response to emerging community priorities.