Co-design of a communication partner training programme in acquired brain injury

Background: Communication impairments are prevalent after acquired brain injury (ABI) with education and training to communication partners considered an important part of rehabilitation. Training can help to improve communication skills in people with ABI. However, the evidence base is limited, with variability in the delivery of existing programmes. The aim of this study is to report and describe the co-design process to optimize an existing programme with people with ABI, their communication partners (CPs), and SLTs.Methods: This study recruited people from three stakeholder groups (people with ABI; CPs; SLTs; n=12 in total) from two different locations (London and Birmingham). Each group contains two members of each stakeholder group, facilitated by two researchers. Co-design is occurring over eight 3-hour sessions, (to be completed in October-2025). Sessions are structured using behavioural change theory to inform the content, dosage, and delivery of training. Methods include open discussion, group voting of techniques and activity content, and active experimentation. Field and observation notes are recorded.Results: Stakeholders have identified core (and optional) techniques for training. Triangulation between the two sites (and involvement of multiple stakeholder groups) will enable a further refinement of techniques, with further detail of relevant content and delivery methods for NHS contexts. Stakeholders have developed an appreciation of delivering communication training from multiple perspectives and its complexity in different clinical settings. The co-design process was described as beneficial and acceptable to all stakeholders.Conclusions and implications: The study has demonstrated the value of gaining perspectives from multiple stakeholders and across sites. The use of behavioural change theory to structure the sessions demonstrated how theory can be successfully incorporated into co-design. The information gained from this process will be used to design video materials and a therapy toolbox to be used flexibly by SLTs in clinical practice.