Arthritis Health Journal Proof of Concept Study (AHJ)

University of British Columbia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatments: Behavioral: Arthritis Health Journal

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01941433

H12-00691

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an online patient passport tool called the Arthritis Health Journal can assist people with rheumatoid arthritis in managing their disease.

Full description

Patient passports have been developed and used in chronic diseases, such as diabetes, to promote active involvement of patients in their care, and have led to better treatment and health outcomes. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active involvement of patients in monitoring their symptoms and their disease activity may facilitate treatment according to current recommendations, which emphasize the need for aggressive treatment to suppress inflammation and for using a "Treat to Target" approach where treatment is escalated until a target is reached and is promptly modified when target is no longer met. In this study, the investigators have developed an online tool that aims to help people with RA monitor their symptoms and their disease activity and self-manage their arthritis. The investigators will perform a proof of concept study assessing how the Arthritis Health Journal affects consumer effectiveness, patient self-efficacy, communication with health professionals, shared decision-making, and satisfaction with medical care. The investigators will also evaluate the feasibility and satisfaction with using the Arthritis Health Journal. The investigators will use a stepped wedge study design, in which 50 participants will be randomized to either the intervention group (immediate use of the Arthritis Health Journal) or the control group (waitlisted for 6 months). Due to the nature of the intervention, the study is not blinded.

Enrollment: 95 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
• Be under the ongoing care of a rheumatologist
• Be comfortable using a computer and online applications
• Have access to an Internet connection
• Be able to read and write English without needing a translator

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 18 years of age;
• Diagnoses of arthritis other than rheumatoid arthritis
• not under the ongoing care of a rheumatologist
• not comfortable using a computer
• lack of Internet access
• inability to read and write in English without a translator

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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95 participants in 2 patient groups

Arthritis Health Journal

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will use the Arthritis Health Journal in the first 6 months of study.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Arthritis Health Journal

Control

Other group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive a delayed intervention. They will receive usual care for the first 6 months of study, during which time they will contribute control data, and they will use the Arthritis Health Journal in the second 6 months of study, during which time they will contribute intervention data.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Arthritis Health Journal