This insightful article, penned by Éidín Ní Shé and published in Health Expectations, offers a critical examination of collaborative approaches within healthcare. Titled “Mitigating unintended consequences of co‐design in health care” (a title derived from the source file name, as it is not explicitly quoted within the provided text excerpts), the paper focuses on the careful and thoughtful implementation of these increasingly prevalent methodologies.
Ní Shé highlights that a suite of these collaborative concepts has become a “zeitgeist” within contemporary healthcare discourse and practice. These pivotal approaches include:
- Co-design
- Co-creation
- Experience-based co-design
- Co-production
- Public and patient involvement
The widespread adoption of these methods underscores a significant global movement towards more inclusive and participative models of healthcare development and delivery. The fundamental and overarching goal of these collaborative strategies is to ensure benefits for “everyone involved” in the healthcare process. This aim extends to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders, seeking to improve outcomes and experiences across the board. While the provided excerpts primarily emphasize the current prominence and positive intent of these methodologies, the article’s full title strongly suggests a deeper exploration into the nuances of their application, particularly concerning potential challenges or unintended outcomes, and likely offers insights into strategies for their effective mitigation. This makes the article particularly valuable for practitioners and researchers seeking to implement these models successfully and responsibly.
The article was published in 2021 within the esteemed journal Health Expectations, with specific publication details including Volume 24, pages 1551–1556. It is uniquely identified by the DOI: 10.1111/hex.13308. The paper is accessible via the Wiley Online Library and is governed by applicable Creative Commons licensing for open access, ensuring broad availability for academic and practical use. Its publication in Health Expectations, along with the mention of other relevant journals cited within the broader work (such as Res Involv Engagem, Health Res Policy Syst, and Implement Sci), firmly establishes its contribution and relevance within the fields of health services research, policy, and patient engagement.
APA Reference for this article:
Ní Shé, É. (2021). Mitigating unintended consequences of co‐design in health care. Health Expectations, 24(5), 1551–1556. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13308

