The Evidence Speaks Series is a recurring feature highlighting the latest in CHÉOS research. This series features summaries of select publications and is designed to keep media and the research community up to date with CHÉOS’ current research results in the health outcomes field. In recognition of Arthritis Awareness Month, this edition features some related research from our scientists.
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How has COVID-19 impacted self-care of people with rheumatoid arthritis?
Leese J, Backman CL, Ma JK, Koehn C, Hoens AM, English K, Davidson E, McQuitty S, Gavin J, Adams J, Therrien S, Li LC. Experiences of self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study. Health Expect. 2021 Aug 17 epub ahead of print.
CHÉOS’ Dr. Linda Li and Alison Hoens joined colleagues from Arthritis Research Canada and the University of Southampton to determine how COVID-19 impacted self-care of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Through telephone interviews with 26 British Columbians with RA, the researchers identified three main themes: participants were able to adapt to maintain self-care, manage their emotions, and change communications with health professionals resulting in positive remote consultations. These results provide clinicians with some insight on how to support people with RA and other chronic illnesses during and after the pandemic, and encourage further investigation into the benefits of remote consultations.
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Improving shared decision-making between Indigenous people with arthritis and care providers
Umaefulam V, Fox T-L, Hazlewood G, Bansback N, Barber CEH, Barnabe C. Adaptation of a Shared Decision-Making Tool for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Decisions with Indigenous Patients. Patient. 2021 Sept 6 epub ahead of print.
Patient decision aids promote meaningful conversations between patients and health care providers and support shared decision-making; however, they are not one-size-fits-all. CHÉOS Decision Sciences Program Head Dr. Nick Bansback and a team from the University of Calgary set out to take an early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient decision aid and adapt it for use with Indigenous patients. The investigators spoke with two cohorts of Indigenous patients with RA. Cohort one helped the team understand their needs and shared their feedback on the current early RA decision aid. Cohort two reviewed the subsequently amended decision aid to ensure the changes made were appropriate and provided additional feedback. The resulting tool could help improve shared decision-making between Indigenous people with RA and their health care providers, and support health equity-oriented health service interventions.
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How do arthritis patients feel about pregnancy and parenthood?
Rebić N, Garg R, Ellis U, Kitchin V, Munro S, Hazlewood G, Amiri N, Bansback N, De Vera MA. “Walking into the unknown…” key challenges of pregnancy and early parenting with inflammatory arthritis: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021 Apr 21;23(1):123.
CHÉOS Scientists Drs. Sarah Munro, Nick Bansback, and Mary De Vera collaborated with researchers from UBC to understand how people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) feel about pregnancy and early parenting, and the challenges they face. Their review of 20 qualitative studies on the topic suggests that how informed patients felt, how well their IA was managed, and how accessible support was influenced their perspectives of pregnancy and early parenting. The analysis also indicated that care providers need to recognize the concerns of patients with RA who are planning pregnancy and parenthood. Providers could consider a more collaborative and patient-centred approach so patients feel comfortable discussing their pregnancy planning. They should also facilitate access to relevant information and support to help patients navigate the journey.
