Impact of public involvement on assistive technology design: Experiences and formative evaluation findings

2010 Conference

Abstract:

This presentation will share experiences and evaluation findings concerning public involvement in a two-year ‘assistive technology’ study. Assistive technology is ‘a product or service designed to enable independence for disabled and older people’. We engaged ten members of the public as advisors in our study to develop a piece of medical equipment that will help people who have had a stroke to walk better. Following preparation and ongoing support, the advisors have gone on to contribute greatly to the design of medical equipment that is more fit for purpose than we believe it would have been without their involvement. We know this because we have carefully recorded the discussions between the advisors and the technical research team and identified where their ideas and suggestions have made a difference. We have also undertaken several interviews with the research team and advisors separately to gain their views in more depth. The advisors have also advised on the design of a clinical trial that will test out the equipment once it has been fully designed. Both clinical trials and technology design are areas where public involvement early on may not be usual practice. We will discuss with you how beneficial involvement can be in these activities and we hope you will learn about how best to maximise its success.