Co-producing a health advocate intervention for pediatric liver transplant recipients using human-centered design

Authors: Telly Cheung, James E Squires, Bethany Bautista, Cynthia Milionis, Jonathan Prugh, Evelyn Hsu, Noelle H Ebel, Kathleen Campbell, Jennifer Vittorio, John C Bucuvalas, Laura M Gottlieb, Courtney R Lyles, Jennifer C Lai, Sharad I Wadhwani

Pediatric liver transplant patients and their families face challenges in accessing healthcare and social services. This study used input from caregivers and transplant teams to design a navigator role to address these issues. Caregivers wanted help with accessing resources, preparing for appointments, and improving communication with schools and healthcare providers. Transplant teams prioritized support for coordinating care and addressing socioeconomic and cultural barriers. A prototype navigator role was developed, and future research will evaluate its impact on post-transplant outcomes.