Tailored talks, a digital communication platform to support shared decision-making in severe stroke

Background:

Personalised information can help patients and families in treatment decision-making

This ensures that treatments they receive are in-keeping with their preferences, especially when some treatments may prolong survival but with severe disability

Tailored Talks is a digital communication platform that has been developed to promote shared decision-making (SDM) in collaboration with POGO digital healthcare

We aimed to refine the content of Tailored Talks and develop a process to implement it in our local stroke unit

Methods
We conducted five co-production workshops over four months with healthcare professionals, stroke survivors and carers.

We audio-recorded the workshops and transcribed this verbatim

Two independent researchers analysed the content using thematic analysis

Results

Recruitment: Fourteen participants in total; two withdrew, nine completed all three or more workshops

Feedback: Largely positive on the content. Minor edits were suggested.

Considerations: a) Accessibility: for inclusion of formats to support those with aphasia, delivery through a dedicated digital resource, use of a QR code b) Education: staff training on Tailored Talks. c) Content: inclusion of therapy specific information and signposting for emotional support

Implementation plan: Measures now being considered to: a) increase staff awareness on challenges of SDM and offer training b) increase staff awareness on how tailored talks will fit in with the SDM process c) provision of emotional support for families d) raise awareness amongst families and patients on use of Tailored Talks and ensuring access

Conclusions

Tailored talks may be a useful resource to support shared decision-making in the context of a severe stroke

Further refinement will ensure inclusivity and comprehensiveness

We will evaluate outcomes on its implementation within our stroke service using mixed method research.