Gunn KM, Skaczkowski G, Dollman J, Vincent AD, Short CE, Brumby S, Barrett A, Harrison N, Turnbull D. Combining Farmers' Preferences With Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent and Lower Farmers' Distress: Co-design and Acceptability Testing of ifarmwell. JMIR Hum Factors. 2022 Jan 11;9(1):e27631. doi: 10.2196/27631.PMID: 35014963 Free article.
Contact: Kate Gunn

ABSTRACT

Farming is physically and psychologically hazardous. Farmers face many barriers to help seeking from traditional physical and mental health services; however, improved internet access now provides promising avenues for offering support.

This study aims to co-design with farmers the content and functionality of a website that helps them adopt transferable coping strategies and test its acceptability in the broader farming population.

Research evidence and expert opinions were synthesized to inform key design principles.

This systematic co-design process resulted in a web-based resource based on acceptance and commitment therapy and designed to overcome barriers to engagement with traditional mental health and well-being strategies-ifarmwell. It was considered an accessible and confidential source of practical and relevant farmer-focused self-help strategies.

Sequential integration of research evidence, expert knowledge, and farmers' preferences in the co-design process allowed for the development of a self-help intervention that focused on important intervention targets and was acceptable to this difficult-to-engage group.