The role of public and patient involvement in designing a web-based, physical activity application for individuals with severe mental illness.

Background: Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) engage in less physical activity (PA) and experience an earlier mortality rate than the general population. PA offers individuals with SMI multiple benefits, improving their physical and mental health. However, barriers are present that minimise the engagement of individuals with SMI in PA, including SMI symptoms, a lack of motivation, a lack of support and a lack of PA knowledge. Digital tools incorporated in PA interventions can assist in minimising these barriers and act as a long-term PA support for the SMI population. A gap remains in the literature on incorporating the voices of those with a lived experience of SMI in developing a long-term digital PA intervention. This project utilised a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) approach in designing a digital web-based PA application for the SMI population in an Irish mental health residential setting, understanding SMI perspectives and influencing the design. The objective of this paper is to explore (i) the PPI process, and (ii) the impact of PPI.

Main Body: A local clinical psychologist was contacted to assist in identifying suitable contributors. Two individuals with a lived experience of a SMI living in an Irish mental health residential setting and two clinicians (i.e., stakeholder representation) working within these settings were identified. The individuals with a lived experience of a SMI and the clinicians were separated, and each group contributed to separate discussions. Each group participated in two discussions, sharing their ideas and views on the design of the web-based PA application. Each contributor provided insightful feedback on the design and development of the web-based PA application. Key highlights of the discussions involved the need for the web-based application to include more visuals in comparison to writing, suitable terminology, multiple PA options, multiple intensities, font type, layout design and the exclusion of a timer and a login feature.

Conclusion: Based on the valuable feedback from the contributors, the web-based application was designed accordingly to address the needs and preferences of individuals with a lived experience of SMI and their clinicians working in the Irish mental health residential setting.