Peer Mentorship in Osteoarthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing peer Mentorship to Improve self-management of Osteoarthritis: A feasibility study (aMIgO)
IRAS ID
219573
Contact name
Gretl McHugh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal condition and is common in older people. The symptoms, which individuals often experience are high levels of pain, stiffness and a reduction in their physical ability. Their quality of life is often affected and individuals can feel socially isolated. \n\nThe government has highlighted the need for individuals to manage their long-term condition themselves by providing the support for people to take care of their own health. There is evidence that ‘peer support’ can assist with improving management of long-term conditions. A peer mentor is usually someone who has the condition but has undergone training to be able to provide focused assistance and mentorship to someone who also has the condition. Peer mentorship appears to work well with supporting individuals with other conditions such as diabetes and in mental health but it hasn’t been developed or tested for individuals with osteoarthritis, only for inflammatory arthritis. Therefore, the aim of this research will be to develop and evaluate a peer support model (OA mentor) to improve self-management of individuals with OA through a feasibility study. \n\nThe intervention will be delivered over 8 weeks with a 6-month follow-up and we will develop and refine the intervention and then evaluate how feasible and acceptable this peer support model is with individuals with OA. We know from discussions with patients who have OA that they have a need for someone other than a health professional who could support them in managing more effectively their symptoms and this is how this project has developed. We will work with individuals with OA to develop the peer mentorship model for individuals with OA and ensure it is of value to them in improving their self-management. In addition, it will inform the development of a future clinical trial.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0238
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion