Validating and piloting the ACHE Tool
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validate and explore the effectiveness of the Arthroplasty Candidacy Help Engine (The ACHE tool)
IRAS ID
185604
Contact name
Andrew Price
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Each year 150,000 hip and knee replacements are performed in the UK with the majority of patients having successful outcomes. However, the nationally collected patient reported outcome data for hip and knee replacement have identified two striking issues with regard to the provision of joint replacement in the UK. Firstly, there is marked variation in current clinical practice in referring and undertaking surgery in patients with arthritis of the hip and knee. Secondly, between 10-15% of patients undergoing hip or knee joint replacement are not satisfied with their treatment. Overall, these findings suggest that there is no standardization to the process by which patients are assessed and selected for hip and knee replacement surgery. This is a particular concern given both the projected increased need for joint replacement over the next decade to accommodate an aging population and the pressure of potential reductions in NHS funding.
The aim of our research project is to develop a new evidence based NHS Framework for patients who might be candidates for surgery, introducing valid thresholds based on scores (health questionnaires) that are already available. The thresholds calculated for the identified scoring system will be incorporated into a user-friendly knee and hip replacement candidacy assessment tool - The ACHE tool (Arthroplasty Candidacy Help Engine).
In Primary Care the ACHE tool would consist of a questionnaire for the patient to fill out (which would include one of the existing scoring systems, and may be joint specific). The questionnaire responses would be scored and compared to reference threshold values provided for the GP. The ACHE tool could be used in Secondary Care in a slightly more sophisticated version incorporating more factors, e.g. co-morbidity, age. It would be used to reinforce patient knowledge about the likelihood of improvement from surgery.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0426
Date of REC Opinion
10 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion