CASE STUDY
Focus groups to facilitate the development of novel paediatric ostomy care products
UNMET NEED
Ostomy appliances and stoma care products can allow ostomates to enjoy much more personal freedom. However, for some patients, their relationship with these products can be complicated. This is especially pertinent for children and young people (CYP) for a number of reasons, including the potential social stresses and anxieties of managing the condition. This is compounded by the fact that very little effort has been made to adapt ostomy care products to the unique needs of CYP, with most focus being on the care of adult ostomates.
Effective solutions are needed that can address the unique needs of CYP ostomates in a compassionate and empathetic way, whilst also providing superior functionality compared to the current solutions.
SOLUTION
Ostique Limited has developed a range of novel ostomy products with improved functionality and customised aesthetics.
Up to this point, Ostique Limited had not worked in the paediatric space. NIHR CYP MedTech were approached to support Ostique Limited in developing their understanding of the specific needs, hopes, and ideas of CYP who have a stoma, drawing on their networks and experience in patient and public involvement (PPI) to do so. Focus groups were conducted with CYP and parents to explore unmet needs of current ostomy care products, alongside their thoughts on the novel ostomy products.
Good feedback on the Ostique Limited range of products was received from CYP, families, and clinical teams.
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT BEFORE WORKING WITH NIHR CYP MEDTECH
Basic idea
Concept development
Prototype development
Prototype validation
Clinical testing
Regulatory approval
Manufacturing
Commercially available
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY NIHR CYP MEDTECH
Identifying NHS Partners
NIHR CYP MedTech facilitated a collaboration between Ostique Limited and a clinical team working with CYP with stomas at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Input from children, young people, and families
NIHR CYP MedTech helped to organise and facilitate focus groups with CYP and their parents to get feedback on current ostomy care products available to them and those being produced by Ostique Limited.
Project management
NIHR CYP MedTech is providing day-to-day management of the project.
NEXT STEPS
Ostique Limited has been provided with a comprehensive report from the PPI focus groups, which will inform their long-term planning and product development strategy. NIHR CYP MedTech will continue to work with Ostique Limited and our clinical partners to support a future evaluation.
IMPACT
The feedback from this project has allowed Ostique Limited to understand the specific needs, hopes, and ideas of CYP living with a stoma. Ostique Limited are using this feedback to develop iterations of their range of ostomy products to better suit this population of CYP.
FUNDING
Ostique Limited and NIHR CYP MedTech will explore funding opportunities to support the development and testing of novel paediatric ostomy products.
PARTNERS
Last updated: 18 May 2022
