Incorporating co-design in cardiovascular research: tips, tricks, and tools

Abstract

Co-design is increasingly used in cardiovascular health research. Conducting co-design is an iterative process that involves collaboration with end-users, such as clinicians and people with lived experience. However, co-design is logistically, practically, and methodologically challenging. This methods paper aims to clarify what co-design is, why and when to use co-design, and how co-design research can be conducted. This paper, therefore, provides practical tools and examples to deal with the challenges and achieve a constructive co-design process in cardiovascular research.