Co‐Producing Training Resources to Improve Healthcare Experiences for Young Women and Reduce Gendered Health Inequalities
Ana Alonso Curbelo, Emma Rigby, Alison Hadley, Sigi Joseph, Yvonne Kerr, Bethany Spain, Amy Simmons, Una Macfadyen, Sarah Dillon, Mar Sánchez Fernández, Laura TinnerABSTRACT
Background
Young women report feeling dismissed or unheard in healthcare settings. These experiences lead to mistrust, healthcare avoidance and ultimately contribute to gendered health inequalities.
Objective
This project aimed to co‐produce with young women and key partners (e.g., healthcare professionals, experts in women's health and inequalities, third sector organisations and policymakers), resources to support healthcare professionals to recognise power imbalances and adapt practice to better meet young women's needs.
Design and Contributors
Using an Experience‐Based Co‐Design (EBCD) framework, we conducted participatory creative workshops (one online and two in‐person) with three groups of young women ( n = 24, aged 16–25). Workshops used arts‐based, accessible activities to explore both positive and negative healthcare interactions. Insights were then presented to 15 healthcare professionals in an online workshop, to co‐design practical resources.
Results
The co‑design workshops led to the development of two linked resources: a co‑produced 2‑min animation and an accompanying training session for healthcare professionals. Young women identified three priorities for improving their healthcare experiences: (1) feeling heard and respected, (2) having agency and choice, and (3) continuity of care. Healthcare professionals emphasised the need for short, engaging and non‑judgemental resources. These insights informed the animation, which depicts themes drawn from young women's experiences. The training session, delivered and co‑created with young women who received facilitation training, incorporated structured engagement with the animation.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates the value of co‐design in shaping meaningful, practical resources intended to support young women's healthcare experiences. The final product is now being shared with healthcare educators and services.
Patient or Public Contribution
This project was co‐produced with young women and healthcare professionals from inception to dissemination via a Steering Committee and co‐production workshops. Interest holders from varying perspectives co‐designed the animation by shaping content and focus. Facilitation skills training was offered to all participating young women, with those who took part supported to remain involved through a young trainers' group. Healthcare professionals contributed insights that informed the resource's design, tone and messaging, ensuring it remained relevant and feasible within busy healthcare contexts. Steering Committee members were also invited to comment on manuscript drafts and support the development of this paper, including through co‐authorship.