Codesigning the iCanPlan Program to promote advance care planning among consumers from ethnic minority backgrounds in cancer care

Abstract

Collaboration between medical interpreters and clinicians is crucial in conducting advance care planning (ACP) with people from ethnic minority backgrounds affected by cancer who require language support; however, limited opportunities exist that foster this collaboration. We report here the co-design of a program that fosters interprofessional collaboration between interpreters and clinicians in ACP with people from ethnic minority backgrounds affected by cancer. Adapted experienced-based co-design (EBCD) was conducted. Building upon data collected from interpreters and health care staff with experience of conducting ACP communication with people from ethnic minority backgrounds affected by cancer, a series of three codesign workshops was conducted to propose and design a solution with ten co-design members. Meetings with three external experts provided important implementation considerations for the co-designed solution. The co-design team drew on available evidence and feasibility challenges to identify approaches to collectively create opportunities for interprofessional collaboration between clinicians and interpreters. This resulted in the co-designed iCanPlan Program which comprises (1) a didactic interprofessional education in ACP, and (2) facilitated feedback for clinicians and interpreters during practice by an attending health care staff member. The iCanPlan Program is a first of its kind program co-designed with stakeholders to promote collaboration between interpreters and cancer clinicians. Collaboration with local cancer service leaders and staff will be required to implement the program into practice.