Key challenges of IKT intervention design

Meeting the needs of a diverse range of knowledge users and employing a ‘common’ language  Researchers facilitating and participating concurrently in workshops  Ensuring ethical approvals and amendments are gained in a timely manner (given the iterative nature of IKT)  Ensuring co-production team members are adequately prepared/trained Accommodating competing demands, including:  – Time pressure to complete project  – Real or perceived power imbalance  – Minimising time burden of knowledge user

Top Tips for:
IKT intervention Design
Initiate the working relationship of the IKT partnership as early as possible  Identify early any training needs to ensure adequate support of knowledge users  Ensure the co-production team has an understanding and expectation of ‘shared power’ for the project  Ensure adequate inclusion of knowledge user groups to facilitate ‘equal voice’—i.e., at least two knowledge users included for each knowledge user groups in your co-production team  Encourage reflection and feedback and formally evaluate it  Provide flexible approachs to workshops to optimise participation: e.g., alternatives to larger workshops such as individual interviews, mini-workshops  Ensure knowledge users are comfortable to express their views within workshops: for example, light refreshments 15 min prior to facilitate an informal introduction, knowledge user delivered summary of the project  Build mutual respect and shared power to facilitate respectful discussion/resolution of differences of opinion/knowledge disparities
Researchers collaborating with knowledge users
Find the right people for your project—consider prior, knowledge, skills, and experience  Invest time to create a genuine connection and build working relationships through social and informal interactions e.g., catch up for coffee  Ask about what support people may need to ensure they are able to contribute. What accessibility needs do they have?  Work out the role of the knowledge user in your project and write it down. Have open discussions about roles and how they may change over time  Allow adequate time for preparation (including time to read documents prior to workshops/meetings)  Provide opportunities for feedback after workshops/meetings and be open and responsive to any feedback provided  Develop communication strategies that are inclusive and work for everyone on the team: e.g., lay person summaries at the top of emails can be useful  Ensure adequate funding to support consumers (e.g., as a paid member of the co-production team, or to reimburse time spent on the project)
Knowledge users collaborating with researchers
Remember the research process can be tricky to understand, but this is not a requirement. You are an equal member of the team with specific expertise  Communication is key. You may choose one person on the team as your go-to for feedback and/or support during the research process  At the beginning of the project tell your team what you need. This may include anything you need to be able to contribute fully to the process (e.g. duration or timing of meetings, transport, breaks, methods of communicating). If you don’t know or have never been in this situation then that is ok, you can make changes as you go  Make sure you understand your role/s in the project and any payments or compensation you will receive, and write it down