Authors: Kimberly Chew, Jennie Ponsford, Kate Gould
Background and Objectives: Over $3 billion was reported lost due to scams in Australia in 2023 (ACCC, 2023). While anyone can be scammed, people with acquired brain injury (ABI) are more vulnerable and experience debilitating impacts. Despite the significant financial loss and deleterious psychological impacts, there are no available psychological treatments tailored to cyberscam recovery. To address this unmet need, we aimed to co-design and evaluate a cyberscam disengagement and psychological recovery intervention framework with and for people with ABI. Co-design is gaining prevalence in ABI as an integral aspect of research and practice that emphasises person-driven, outcome-focused, inclusive and value-based healthcare approaches.
Method: The Knowledge to Action framework (Graham et al., 2006) was applied. Fifteen adults took part in the co-design process; of which, five were facilitator-participants who were part of the project team and ten were participants recruited through convenience sampling. In total, adults with ABI (n=5), family members/carers (n=3) and clinicians/service provider (n=7) participated in 20 hours of co-design focus groups (2.5h x 8) in hybrid format to co-develop and review topics and content, intervention measurement tools, promotion and sustainability plans. The co-design experience was also evaluated through semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: A comprehensive and flexible cyberscam recovery intervention framework, following a biopsychosocial approach was co-designed. The excellent participation and engagement within the co-design groups allowed the perspectives of living experience, caregivers and allied health clinicians to be authentically integrated. Practical recommendations for improving the co-design process for people with ABI were also provided.
Conclusions: Overall, the co-designed cyberscam recovery intervention framework was developed and will be piloted for feasibility and efficacy in people with brain injury. Furthermore, this study contributes to the expanding body of literature endorsing the use of co-design methodology with individuals with ABI, family members/carers and clinicians in an inclusive manner.