CoUs-axSpA 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting Collaborative Use of Patient Self-Tracking Data in the Context of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Clinics: A Qualitative Exploration
IRAS ID
271239
Contact name
Weihua Zhang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, days
Research summary
'Self-tracking' is the practice of systematically recording data about one’s health conditions or activities. In the context of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), this involves the collection of data such as symptoms, medication and physical activities. Currently, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD)’s Project Nightingale (part of the Bath Biobank 13/SW/0096) is using a health-monitoring smartphone application called uMotif, alongside wearable devices, to enable axSpA patients to engage in self-tracking. Though the project has generated a substantial amount of data, the use of this data in the clinical setting remains uninvestigated.
Our project will use qualitative research methods such as observations, interviews and focus groups to investigate how axSpA patients and their clinicians use and discuss self-tracking data in a realistic setting, e.g., prior to, during, or following a clinical appointment. Participants of Bath Biobank (13/SW/0096) and Project Nightingale will be eligible to take part, provided that they have generated at least 6 months of self-tracking data using the uMotif application. The study will take place at the RNHRD over the course of 2-7 months from the point of recruitment. Research activities will be carried out around patient’s scheduled clinical visit and during the focus group study. The total time commitment for each participant will not exceed 6 hours. The focus group study will require patients to make a one-off additional journey to the hospital.
This study will allow us to explore potential challenges and opportunities that are associated with the clinical conversations relating to self-tracking data. The findings of the study will inform the design of information technology that facilitates patient-clinician collaboration around self-tracking data. This study is conducted by researchers from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath and RNHRD.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0140
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion