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Support for Living a Meaningful Life with Osteoarthritis: A Patient-to-Patient Research Study

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Abstract

Objective

This study addresses the perspectives of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) about the gap between available support and their needs, with a focus on patient experience and what is important to them. It was a key component of a research initiative to co-develop an evidence-based model for central referral from primary to specialty care for arthritis patients.

Methods

Patients with OA and trained in engagement methods used adapted qualitative methods to co-design and conduct the study. OA patients (N = 25) participated in a three-step peer-to-peer process: a focus group clarified and explored the topic (“set”), and guided the creation of the interview guide used in the second phase (“collect”). Using a collaborative analysis process, the researchers identified eight concepts that they then brought to a last focus group (“reflect”). Here, participants reviewed the findings, identifying implications for arthritis care in Alberta, Canada.

Results

An overarching theme of “supporting us in managing a meaningful life with OA” was underpinned by three components of quality care: (1) right knowledge—specific and detailed knowledge and information; (2) right professional support—ongoing access to health professionals with OA expertise; and (3) right professional relationship—a partnership with health professionals who help them develop and revise personal self-management plans.

Conclusion

Peer-to-peer research informed and challenged the research team and stakeholders to consider the need for upstream support for OA patients. Results are helping to transform arthritis care, shifting the health system from an acute episodic model to one that meets the needs of the growing number of patients with chronic diseases.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants and collaborators in this study, particularly PaCER, which provides the 1-year internship where patients learn to apply qualitative research methods to maximize patient engagement. The authors also thank the supporters of PaCER: the Alberta Health Services and its Strategic Clinical Networks, as well as the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Program and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at Cumming School of Medicine, the University of Calgary. The PaCER Program was founded following the success of the pilot project “Patients Matter: Engaging Patients as Collaborators to Improve Osteoarthritis (OA) Care in Alberta” (2011–2013), funded through the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI).

Author contributions

Jean Miller participated in study design, conducted the study, collected qualitative data, analyzed the data, interpreted the results and drafted the manuscript. Sylvia Teare participated in study design, conducted the study, collected qualitative data, analyzed the data, interpreted the results and assisted with drafting the manuscript. Nancy Marlett led the development of the overall study methodology and assisted in data interpretation and manuscript drafting. Svetlana Shklarov assisted with development of the overall study methodology, data interpretation, and with drafting the manuscript. As the Principal Investigator, Deborah Marshall conceived the study, participated in the development of the design, assisted in analyzing and interpreting the data and drafting the manuscript, and provided approval for the final version of the manuscript. All authors have reviewed and approved the final version of this manuscript.

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Authors

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Correspondence to Deborah Anne Marshall.

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Potential conflict of interest

Deborah Anne Marshall is supported as a Canada Research Chair, Health Services and Systems Research and Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Outcomes Research. Jean Louise Miller, Sylvia Ruth Teare, Nancy Marlett, and Svetlana Shklarov declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This study was funded by Canadian Institutes for Health Research (Planning Grant 20132PLH, funded through Priority Announcement Health Services and Policy Research), The Arthritis Society (Models of Care Catalyst Grant, Grant Number MOC-13-007), and Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System PRIHS Grant, Grant Number 201300472).

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Miller, J.L., Teare, S.R., Marlett, N. et al. Support for Living a Meaningful Life with Osteoarthritis: A Patient-to-Patient Research Study. Patient 9, 457–464 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-016-0169-9

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