Aims
EQUiPP is a multi-component intervention to improve pain-related outcomes for rural Australians, targeting seven towns across the Limestone Coast (SA) and Western Victoria. It includes two workstreams: (1) building primary care capacity to treat pain and (2) co-designing and delivering a community chronic pain education campaign. This study reports on the co-design process for workstream 2, aimed at developing tailored campaigns with the public in each town.
Methods
Two rounds of co-design workshops were held in June–July 2025. Eligible co-designers were adults living or working in the target towns. Workshops comprised four structured activities: (1) evaluating pain messages; (2) prioritising campaign items and delivery settings; (3) reviewing campaign styles; (4) and participatory budgeting, where co-designers selected items under budget constraints. Data were captured through card selections, photographs, and group audio-recordings. Findings were integrated by town via a convergent mixed-methods approach.
Results
Nineteen workshops were held with 232 unique co-designers; 78 (34%) attended both rounds. Of all co-designers, 145 (63%) reported chronic pain, with 65% experiencing pain for ≥6 years (mean intensity: 5.9/10; interference: 7.4/10). Seventy-one (31%) were health professionals, mostly physiotherapists (36%), nurses (14%), and exercise physiologists (10%). Mean age was 53 years (SD 16; range 19–85); 73% were female. Co-designers favoured messages that were clear, relatable, and validating. They identified delivery locations that varied across towns but commonly included health centres, sporting clubs, and libraries. They recommended local champions and shared town-specific cultural elements—such as events, clubs, and networks—to guide implementation. Each town described preferred tone, language, and design to optimise campaign resonance.
Conclusions
The EQUiPP campaign will launch in early 2026. Campaign delivery will be tailored to each town, incorporating bespoke messaging, delivery settings, and visual styles based on input. Where overlap was identified across towns, shared elements will be used.