My-axSpA_30November2023_v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting Self-Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA): Optimisation of Digital Services
IRAS ID
322915
Contact name
Rosemarie Barnett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
In the UK, people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) will see their rheumatologist or specialist physiotherapist once a year, or less – leaving 8,758 hours in a year where they must manage their condition somewhat independently. Supporting people to live well with and confidently self-manage their axSpA between appointments is therefore an essential component of patient care. The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RNHRD), wants to improve their digital self-management services for axSpA. In order to do this, this research project aims to understand the opinions of RNHRD patients living with axSpA and healthcare professionals on how digital interventions (such as apps, websites, digital resources, programmes and tools) should be harnessed in rheumatology care, to most effectively support and empower people in managing their axSpA and day-to-day life with the condition (self-management).
Participants (people living with axSpA, rheumatology healthcare professionals) will be invited to take part in a Microsoft Teams interview. The interview will cover two or three topics, depending on whether individuals have previously attended (patients) or delivered/developed (healthcare professionals) the RNHRD axSpA virtual self-management programme:
1) Topic 1: Exploring opinions on how digital interventions should be harnessed in axSpA care, to support self-management (all participants)
2) Topic 2: Understanding experiences and perspectives of the Bath axSpA virtual self-management programme (only participants who have attended [patients] or delivered/ developed [healthcare professionals] the RNHRD virtual self-management programme)
3) Topic 3: Review of a theorised toolkit to help healthcare professionals, researchers and intervention developers to design effective digital self-management interventions for axSpA (all participants)This research is part of a PhD Studentship and is funded by the University of Bath. We hope that this work will help the RNHRD to improve the care of people living with axSpA.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0037
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion