Platform Presentation The Joint Annual Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia (SSA) and Smartstrokes 2023

i-REBOUND after stroke - The consumer perspective.   (#27)

Dina Pogrebnoy 1 , Julie Davey 2 , Meredith Burke 3 , Brian Beh 4 , Kevin English 5 , Ben Schelfhaut 6 , Nicole Harper 3 , Lesley MacDonald-Wicks 1 , Amy Dennett 7 , Amanda Patterson 1 , Jude Czerenkowski 8 , Richard Cullen 8 , Coralie English 1
  1. School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  2. Consumer Partner, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia
  3. Consumer Partner, Newcastle, Victoria, Australia
  4. Consumer Partner, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Consumer Partner, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Consumer Partner, London, United Kingdom
  7. Office of Research, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  8. Stroke Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Background: Consumer input is recommended for all research projects but achieving genuine and productive consumer engagement takes commitment and time. Collaborative relationships between survivors of stroke and researchers are essential to achieving “fit for purpose” outcomes.

Aim: Outline steps to achieve authentic consumer engagement during the design and co-creation of content for the i-REBOUND ‘after stroke’ website aimed to help survivors of stroke to ‘move more’ and ‘eat well’ after thier stroke.

Methods: An integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach was used during this project. The iKT approach involved consumers as equal partners. A consumer advisory group (CAG) was formed to guide the project team on key criteria for the i-REBOUND website. Workshops were held with other survivors of stroke to ensure broad views and necessary elements were captured. A prototype was developed, and pilot tested by members of the CAG (n=7). Feedback was actioned before prototype was put into production. Website content was created by members of the CAG (n=6) and other survivors of stroke (n=9).

Results: The i-REBOUND after stroke website was successfully launched in November 2022. Key elements for consumers were for i-REBOUND to be accessible, easy to navigate, motivating and feature survivors of stroke. The “secret sauce” to consumers and researchers working together was mutual respect, opportunities to consider draft material before scheduled meetings and shared decision making through the life of the project. Created content included exercise routines (n=33), step by step recipes (n=24) and ‘hints and hacks’ featuring survivors of stroke (n=117). Consumers felt valued, respected, and appreciated for contributing their lived experience.

Conclusion: Meaningful consumer partnerships have enabled the creation of a website which survivors of stroke find engaging, motivating and contributing to their daily life. Evidence based resources on the i-REBOUND website: www.irebound.enableme.org.au are easy to navigate, accessible and feature survivors of stroke.