Co-designing and piloting educational materials with patients and healthcare providers for syncope in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and design interventions to promote adherence to 2017 Guideline for Syncope Evaluation and Management. METHODS: Focus groups and interviews were conducted to understand preferences, needs and barriers from patients and providers. Educational materials for patients were developed following a co-design, iterative process with patients, providers and hospital staff. The academic medical center's (AMC) Patient Education Department and Patient & Family Advisory Council reviewed materials to ensure health literacy. We piloted usability and feasibility of delivering the materials to a small cohort of patients. RESULTS: From Feb to March 2020, 24 patients were asked to watch the video. Twenty-two watched the intake video; of those 8 watched the discharge video. 95% of participants found the intake video informational and 86% would recommend it to others; 100% found the discharge video informational and would recommend it to others. Patients who watched both videos reported the videos improved their overall stay. CONCLUSION: Our study described a patient-clinician-researcher codesign process and demonstrated feasibility of tools developed to communicate risk and uncertainty with patients and facilitate shared decision making in syncope evaluation. INNOVATION: Engaging end users in developing interventions is critical for sustained practice change.