The impact of inflammatory arthritis on patient sexuality (version1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of inflammatory arthritis on patient sexuality
IRAS ID
196379
Contact name
Sarah Ryan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 18 days
Research summary
To investigate the impact of inflammatory arthritis on sexuality.
Objectives: a)to identify the impact of sexuality affecting patients with inflammatory arthritis attending a rheumatology nurse led clinic.
b)To investigate whether patients want to discuss sexuality during their rheumatology nurse clinic consultation.
c)To identify any barriers to addressing sexuality within a nurse clinic consultation.
Current evidence suggests this is an important but often neglected area of discussion in rheumatology that should be included in the consultation. In order to ensure patients health needs are being met this research seeks to explore from patients if they are comfortable discussing these issues, and what the barriers to these discussions may be to enable local practice to be adapted to allow more person centred care.All patients over 18yrs with the capacity to understand the study and give consent attending the clinics of 2 rheumatology nurse specialists (across 4 clinic sites) within NHS Ayrshire and Arran with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis would be invited to participate. Patients under 18yrs or those attending with a non-inflammatory arthritis diagnosis would not be included.
4 clinic sites (out-patient dept. clinics) - Ayrshire Central Hospital, Crosshouse Hospital, Ayr Hospital, East Ayrshire Community Hospital.
Patients who agree to participate will give written consent and be asked to complete 2 anonymous questionnaires - 1 enquiring on basic demographic information including age, gender and diagnosis, 2 a tick box questionnaire enquiring more specifically on how their inflammatory arthritis has affected sexuality and body image. This also enquires on who they would be most likely to discuss these issues with and barriers to discussion.
Suitable participants would be identified in advance via reviewing electronic and written records. A letter of invitation would be sent out 2-3 weeks in advance of the patient attending to allow time to consider participating in the research.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0083
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion