Introduction: Successful long-term management of stroke relies on self-efficacy, yet there are few resources available to build self-efficacy after stroke.
Aim: To co-design a digital intervention to enhance self-efficacy.
Methods: Integrated Knowledge Translation incorporating co-design. Stroke survivors and carers were involved from conception to completion. The project steering group comprised academic researchers, stroke survivors, carers, digital designers, Stroke Foundation team members and clinicians. A lived experience workgroup (14 survivors, 1 carer) guided selection of digital platform, included content and customised features.
Results: Nine rounds of online co-design meetings were held with the lived experience workgroup from August-October 2023. There was unanimous agreement to develop a website, hosting content that could be tailored to the individual survivor’s or carer’s needs. 10 priority content areas to include were identified: defining self-efficacy and its importance; involvement in healthcare decisions; seeking information; self-advocacy; fatigue management; managing emotional changes; managing cognitive changes; managing mobility changes; managing speaking difficulties. Content should be provided in text and via videos of survivors and carers, sharing real-life experiences and messages of hope.
The workgroup reconvened from March-April 2024 to review the website prototype, provide advice on layout, colour, and language. The domain name “EmpowerMe” was selected. Twenty-six stroke survivors and ten carers recorded >100 videos sharing distinct aspects of self-efficacy, which were embedded on the website.
Conclusion: A website has been co-designed with the input of multiple stakeholder groups to enhance self-efficacy after stroke. The website is ready for user testing, and subsequent evaluation in a Phase II trial.