AB1608-HPR CO-DESIGNING THE WORKWELL DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR WORKING PEOPLE WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PATIENTS, PUBLIC, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND DIGITAL LEARNING EXPERTS
Authors: Y. Prior, J. Parker, S. Battista, N. Gilanliogullari, A. Mathew, A. Lavender, H. Palin, A. Palin, E. Barr
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Inflammatory arthritis (IA) frequently leads to work-related challenges, potentially escalating into work disability without timely intervention. The need for prompt and personalised support is critical yet often unmet. The outcomes of a recent randomised controlled trial of job retention vocational rehabilitation for employed people with IA (The WORKWELL Trial) [1], indicated that a digital adaptation of this intervention could enhance accessibility for broader demographics, including underserved populations. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The study's goal was to co-design an open-access digital platform with patients, the public, health professionals with expertise in work rehabilitation and digital learning specialists to improve the work life and job retention of individuals with IA. A key aim was to foster equal representation and shared decision-making in the design process, especially for those often marginalised, to create a user-friendly, widely acceptable, and accessible online tool to engage a broader IA working population. <h3>Methods:</h3> The project, led by an occupational therapist, equipped patients and public contributors with the necessary devices and skills for the co-design process. A combination of online and in-person methods—including online and face-to-face meetings, interviews, structured reflective discussions, focus groups, demonstrations, and testing sessions—drove the iterative digitisation of work assessments and the co-development of an online education program. These activities fostered a 'learning through doing' approach [2]. Qualitative feedback from these interactions was consolidated and reviewed in subsequent meetings with all stakeholders to guide further design iterations. <h3>Results:</h3> Through the co-design process, four key reflective themes emerged, shaping the digital platform's development: (i) the complexity of tailoring work advice for users, (ii) crafting an engaging and educational online program, (iii) ensuring platform accessibility, and (iv) providing flexibility for daily use on various devices. Stakeholders played diverse roles in the co-design and testing phases. The final digital platform features self-assessment tools, an online resource kit, and an interactive education program for self-management, empowering users to navigate workplace challenges effectively. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Our study highlights the importance of incorporating diverse experiences, centring on patients and the public in our research to address health inequalities through an online intervention for workers with IA. Upcoming efforts will extensively test WORKWELL Digital's acceptability and usability, discerning which features resonate with different user groups to guide further development. Such steps are vital to refine the platform to fulfil its intended goals effectively. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Hammond, A. et al. 2020. <i>BMC musculoskeletal disorders</i>, <i>21</i>(1), 607. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03619-1. [2] Bryant, W. et al. 2012. Work 43 (1): 23–31. doi:10.3233/WOR-2012-1444. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> This study is funded by the Versus Arthritis (grant number: 21761). <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>