Joint allies: Benefits and tensions of co-producing a prostate cancer app for, and with, the Black British African-Caribbean community

ABSTRACT

In this paper we use a case study, the co-production of a prostate cancer app with, and for, Black British African-Caribbean communities, to discuss benefits and tensions of inclusive practice and allyship. We view our collaborators as joint partners, and joint allies, for the Black British African-Caribbean community. Here, we document the research process and highlight successful aspects of our collaboration such as mentoring, recruitment, ideas on the format and presentation of the app, supportive data collection practices, useful community feedback and promotion of the app. We also highlight points in the research process that in hindsight needed more discussion and careful negotiation. We end with some recommendations based on our experience.

KEYWORDS:

• Co-production
• prostate cancer app

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ Android development requires a one-off fee of £25 (may have changed); then you must meet the app submission requirements as detailed by the store (these are also regularly updated, as the Android platform advances). The Play Store allows you to manage closed and open test releases, prior to final release.

Android development requires a one-off fee of £25 (may have changed); then you must meet the app submission requirements as detailed by the store (these are also regularly updated, as the Android platform advances). The Play Store allows you to manage closed and open test releases, prior to final release.

² BHF Link Recognition BHF Champion 2015 at Cardiovascular Conference Manchester https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/healthcare-professionals/bhf-alliance/bhf-alliance-awards-2015.

BHF Link Recognition BHF Champion 2015 at Cardiovascular Conference Manchester

https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/healthcare-professionals/bhf-alliance/bhf-alliance-awards-2015.

³ Hearts & Minds Summary Report 2011–2014 https://heartsandmindsnottingham.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/hm-project-summary-report-2013-2014.pdf.

Hearts & Minds Summary Report 2011–2014

https://heartsandmindsnottingham.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/hm-project-summary-report-2013-2014.pdf.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group’s Allocation of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Capability Funding [Funding Agency] under Grant [CCG/NTU/02/RCF/13‐14].

Notes on contributors

Sarah Seymour-Smith

Sarah Seymour-Smith is a senior lecturer at NTU. Her research focuses on masculinities and health and also support groups both face-to-face and online.

David J. Brown

David J. Brown is a Professor in interactive systems for social exclusion at NTU. His research includes the design, development and evaluation of Virtual Reality and Multimedia Learning Environments to promote social inclusion using user sensitive methodologies.

Andy Burton

Andy Burton is a research fellow in the Department of Computing and Technology at NTU. His research focus is in educational technology, pedagogic theory and special education.

Nick Shopland

Nick Shopland is a research fellow in the Department of Computing and Technology at NTU. His research in human-computer interaction and computer graphics.

Masood Khan

Masood Khan is a Professor at Leicester General Hospital. He is a Consultant Urological Surgeon and specialises in prostate and laser prostate surgery, peno-scrotal surgery and kidney stone removal.

Rose Thompson

Rose Thompson is the Chief Executive and founder of of BME Cancer Communities.  She has 26 years clinical experience in the NHS as a radiographer.

Lindsay Thompson

Lindsay Thompson is the Co Executive of BME Cancer Communities.

Lisa Jackson

Lisa Jackson is the Director of Mon0lisa Productions  and specialises in engagement with a creative difference. She has worked with many public health, local authorities, charities, community and academics to support health promotion.

Wayne Marston

Wayne Marston is a member of Friends & Bredins Prostate Cancer Support Group and has held many roles within the charity.

Roydon Allen

Roydon Allen is a member of Friends & Bredrins Prostate Cancer Support Group and has held many roles within the charity.