Assembling the Data Jigsaw: structured data collection by clinicians
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assembling the Data Jigsaw in Greater Manchester: improving MSK research to advance patient care and inform patient policy by prospectively collecting structured, research-quality data by clinicians
IRAS ID
308888
Contact name
Will Dixon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, months, days
Research summary
Arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are a leading cause of disability with significant impact on quality of life. NICE recommend a care pathway for adults with suspected MSK conditions from referral through to diagnosis and treatment. However, there are gaps in our understanding of how stakeholders working in rheumatology outpatient services collect and use patient information. By improving our understanding of this we can create a structured data-entry system that minimises collection burden and maximises the quality of the information collected, whilst ensuring that the necessary information is easily accessible to the relevant health professionals and stakeholders to enable them to deliver quality care.
This study will therefore address two main research questions:
1. What are the information workflows, information needs, and implications of collecting research-quality data during outpatient rheumatology consultations?
We will first conduct observations within rheumatology services with a variety of stakeholders who collect, record and use patient data (e.g. administrators, specialist nurses, rheumatologists), by shadowing patients throughout their usual appointments and following their ‘patient data journey’. During observations, we will identify key stakeholders and conduct semi-structured interviews to explore their information workflows and needs. Lastly, we will review patient records to identify the types of data recorded within the service (and whether this reflects the ‘gold standard’ minimum data set recommended for rheumatology outpatient clinical encounters).2. How usable is a structured data-entry system designed for use in rheumatology outpatient services?
We will invite stakeholders working within rheumatology services to participate in laboratory-based, audio-recorded usability evaluations of a data-entry system. Participants will complete a series of tasks using the system whilst ‘thinking aloud’.All participants (stakeholders and patients) will be recruited via two rheumatology outpatient services. The study is funded by the Oliver Bird Fund, Nuffield Foundation.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/WM/0037
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion