Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
Arthritis Research Centre of Canada
Suite 300, 895 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L7
Ph : (604) 879-7511
Fx : (604) 879-3791
Research
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Help-Seeking Experience
ERAHSE
Introduction:
It is very important for people to receive treatment early for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), a class of arthritis medications, can help to prevent joint damages if taken within the first three months of the disease. However, little is known about how long it takes between the time symptoms are first noticed and the first visit to a health professional, and how people manage the symptoms during this early phase.
This study looks at the ways in which people search for information and treatment (also known as help-seeking) from the time of arthritis symptoms to the early stage of the diagnosis. We also want to understand the barriers related to early visits to family doctors for arthritis symptoms and any barriers to accessing further care from specialists or other potentially helpful resources.
Methodology
This study will be done in two phases. In Phase I we will begin to understand the help-seeking process by interviewing 30 to 36 people who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis within the last 12 months. Interview questions will focus on the person’s experience with their symptoms in everyday life, on the information and treatments they used, and on their experience with health professionals.
The barriers to help-seeking identified in Phase I will help to create a survey that will be sent to 185 people with early rheumatoid arthritis (Phase II). We will study the effects of these barriers on the timing of the first visit with a family doctor for the early arthritis symptoms.
Participant Recruitment:
In Phase I, we will recruit participants from family practices, rheumatologist clinics, and the Arthritis Consumer Experts member registry. Phase II participants will be recruited from The Arthritis Society patient registry.
Relevance for People with Arthritis:
Early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can prevent unnecessary joint damage and improve patients’ health outcomes. Results of this study can be used by health care administrators to improve health services and support resources for people at the early stage of arthritis.
Consumer Involvement:
Otto Kamensek, Member of the Consumer Advisory Board provided a consumer perspective on the content and format of the interview questions for Phase I of the project. His expertise assisted in the quality and relevance of the questions asked in the participant interviews.
Timeframe:
September 2007 – August 2009
Funding:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Publications / Presentations
Team Members
Project Team Members:
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Principal Investigator: Linda Li PT, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia
Research Scientist, ARC
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Co-Investigators: Paul Adam MSW
Social Worker
Arthritis Program, GF Strong Rehab Centre
Anne Townsend PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia
Susan Cox PhD
Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia
Catherine Backman PhD
Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
Research Scientist, ARC
Monique Gignac PhD
Scientist, Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit (ACREU), Toronto Western Research Institute
Shahin (Walji) Jamal MD
St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
Alice Klinkhoff MD
UBC, Mary Pack Arthritis Centre
Stan Lubin MD
Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia
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Collaborators: Colleen Maloney
Consumer Advisory Board Member, ARC
Otto Kamensek
Consumer Advisory Board Member, ARC
Heather McArthur
Consumer Advisory Board Member, ARC
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Research Coordinator: Zubin Amarsi BSc, MHA
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