Training for patient and public contributors in digital health and use of data

The first training session for patient and public contributors on digital health and use of data ran on 28 March 2019, organised by Bristol Health Partners and People in Health West of England. As far as we know, it is the first training of its kind in the UK. One of the presenters was Dr Andrew Turner who is working on CLAHRC West’s DECODE study, who spoke about digital health.

The workshop introduced the concepts, debates and resources available to contribute to work on digital health and uses of health data. It was designed to help increase the patient and public voice in data and digital service design and development. As far as we know, it is the first training of its kind in the UK.

The workshop involved a mix of talks from local speakers (Joss Palmer, Connecting Care, Dr Andrew Turner, CLAHRC West, Dr Richard Wood, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group), interactive games and discussions of key concepts and resources.

Feedback from participants was excellent:

• All respondents rated the training as either ‘Very Good’ or ‘Good’ in improving knowledge of digital health and uses of health data
• Respondents found it either ‘Very Easy’ or ‘Easy’ to take part in discussions
• Three indicated they were ‘Extremely’ confident about being able to contribute to a health data or digital project in the future; three ‘Very’ confident; five ‘Moderately’ confident, and one ‘Not at all’ (this respondent said they were ‘Unsure about what contributing means’)
• All respondents were interested in contributing to health data or digital projects.

“Invigorating, stimulating, exciting day; thank you”

“Thanks for making it understandable for non-technical people”

“Programme excellently designed and run”

The workshop was designed by John Kellas (Community Innovation and Engagement Consultant working with Bristol Health Partners) in collaboration with a design and facilitation team:

• Sarah Blake, Public Contributor, Local Digital Health R&D Group
• Dr Andy Gibson, Academic Lead, People in Health West of England
• Ceilidh Jackson-Baker, Senior Administrator, People in Health West of England
• Louise Osborne, Management Assistant, Bristol Health Partners
• Sophie Taysom, Independent Policy Analyst, Keyah Consulting
• Sandra Tweddell, Public Contributor, Local Digital Health R&D Group
• Olly Watson, Senior Project Manager, Bristol Health Partners

A report from this first pilot is now available.

A second session will be run in Autumn 2019. After this they plan to publish a resource pack to help others run similar sessions in the future.

Dr Julian Walker, Chair of the Local Digital Health R&D Group, which oversees this work said:

“In the NHS there is a mine of important information in people’s clinical records, and organisations that analyse this properly can improve care and avoid repeating mistakes. We know that members of the public want this done properly and want to be involved in using their data better to improve services.

“This course helped people to understand digital terminology and what kinds of developments we are up to in the NHS. It’s so positive that this course was innovative and well received, we anticipate demand to run it again for both the public and clinicians working in health – this is great for people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who want to get involved.”

Read the first pilot report (PDF).

Bristol Health Partners would like to hear about other work to increase the patient and public voice in digital health and data initiatives.

Get in touch through hello@bristolhealthpartners.org.uk