Study of caregivers in RA: towards effective support (SOCRATES)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study Of Caregivers experiences in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Towards Effective Support (SOCRATES)
IRAS ID
133363
Contact name
Ira Pande
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) causes chronic pain and swelling (inflammation)in joints and the structures surrounding joints. It can also affect other body organs like the heart and lungs. Patients require long term medication to control their condition. Most patients are moderately to severely disabled and need help and support at home. It has been shown that an estimated 27 hours of care per week is provided by caregivers to patients with RA and that the mental health of the carer can impact on how RA affects an individual. Consultation with patients and their representatives suggests they desire to be closely involved in supporting patients both practically as well as in the management of their condition. At present there is little research exploring what it is like to care for a person with RA, and what support caregivers might need. It is possible that providing a resource or support for caregivers could improve the health status of both the caregiver and the patient and hence influence overall outcome.
This study is planned in two phases.
Phase 1: we want to talk to groups of caregivers of patients with RA and understand their experiences and what types of support they might want. We can then consider this alongside the support that is currently available and what it might be possible to offer in the future.
Phase 2: we want to use this information to conduct an on-line survey of health care professionals; people that are not doctors but work closely with and have experience in managing patients with RA eg specialist nurses and physiotherapists. We will be using their knowledge and experience to develop a consensus of opinion about what support could be realistically offered to caregivers and how this could best be delivered.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1550
Date of REC Opinion
30 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion