'Living Well With a PICC at Home': Co-Design and Evaluation of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Booklet

Abstract

AIM: To co-design an information booklet to support adults living with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at home. DESIGN: A sequential, mixed-method approach using Boyd's co-design framework. METHOD: A diverse project team led co-design of a PICC booklet based on preferences and PICC management strategies identified through content analysis of interviews with 15 Australian health consumers (January 2022-March 2023) using a qualitative descriptive approach. A draft booklet was developed, reviewed by the team and prototyped, which was evaluated by consumer participants and an external nurse panel, with readability assessed using Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid scores. The project team reviewed feedback, reached consensus on changes and collaborated with designers to produce the final booklet. RESULTS: Consumer participant strategies were classified into four categories: enhancing coping, taking responsibility and understanding information, modifying life and accessing supports. Two pre-determined categories were included (participant recommendations for PICC education resource content and top tips for living with a PICC). The prototype was evaluated as highly relevant (3.9/4), comprehensive (3.8/4) with an appropriate writing style and visual appeal. Readability scores were 76.1/100 (Flesch Reading Ease) and 6.9 (Flesch-Kincaid grade level). The final booklet contained 13 sections. CONCLUSION: A co-design approach successfully created a novel PICC information booklet with positive evaluations. IMPLICATIONS: Provides understanding of consumer information preferences to inform PICC education and offers insight into consumer-developed strategies and knowledge for living with a PICC. IMPACT: A co-designed PICC information booklet based on consumer knowledge may augment nursing education for people living with a PICC to improve outcomes. REPORTING METHOD: The qualitative component follows the EQUATOR network COREQ guideline. A co-design research reporting standard is not available. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A consumer representative was a member of the project team and contributed to study design, interpretation of findings and development of the booklet and manuscript.