Healthcare is primarily an evidence-based profession with clinicians training for many years and keeping themselves up to date with the latest developments in their fields to maintain their expertise. Experience-based co-design is an approach to improving services that draws on the experience of patients and staff to identify areas of improvement, prioritise, and work together to address them. Both approaches have a role to play in innovating and improving healthcare.
While both Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) and evidence-based approaches both aim to enhance healthcare services, they differ significantly in their principles, processes, and applications.
Experience-based co-design (EBCD)
Experience-Based Co-Design is a participatory methodology that seeks to improve services by actively involving patients, their families, and healthcare staff in the design and delivery process. EBCD is grounded in the belief that the individuals who experience healthcare services are the experts in assessing their quality.
Key characteristics
User-centred approach
EBCD places the lived experiences of patients and staff at the forefront. It acknowledges that they have valuable insights into what works and what needs improvement.
Collaboration and co-design
It fosters collaboration among patients, families, healthcare providers, and designers. Together, they co-create and improve healthcare services, making them more patient-centric.
Qualitative data
EBCD relies on qualitative data, often gathered through interviews, focus groups, and storytelling, to capture the nuances of people’s experiences.
Emphasis on emotion and experience
This methodology values emotional aspects of care, aiming to create a healthcare environment that is not only effective but also compassionate.
Continuous improvement
EBCD encourages an iterative approach, with continuous feedback and refinement of services based on user experiences.
Evidence-based approaches
Evidence-based approaches on the other hand, are rooted in the systematic analysis of scientific research, clinical trials, and empirical evidence to guide decision-making in healthcare.
Key characteristics
Data-driven
This approach relies on quantitative and qualitative data collected through rigorous research methods. The emphasis is on statistical significance and evidence validity.
Standardisation
Evidence-based practices often aim for standardised, replicable procedures to ensure consistent and reliable outcomes.
Guidelines and protocols
Clinical guidelines and protocols are frequently developed based on evidence-based research to establish best practices in healthcare.
Patient population focus
While evidence-based approach considers the broader population’s needs and outcomes, they may not always capture the nuances of individual patient experiences.
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness
This approach prioritise efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and clinical outcomes, which may sometimes come at the expense of personalisation and patient-centeredness.
While distinct, these methodologies can complement each other. For example, EBCD can provide qualitative insights to inform evidence-based practices, ensuring that the research is grounded in real-world experiences.
As we continue to innovate and improve healthcare, it is important that we remain intentional about how and when we use different approaches. This reflection on Experience-Based Co-Design and evidence-based methodologies reminds us that neither should sit in isolation, and both have value to add when enhancing healthcare. Moving forward, we want to keep finding opportunities to integrate both — grounding our work in robust evidence while also designing in partnership with the people most affected. By combining the strengths of each approach, we will work to develop services that are not only effective and efficient, but also meaningful and compassionate.