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Toomey CM, Bhardwaj A, Browne J, Dowling I, Grealis S, Hayes P, Higgins N, Maguire D, O'Hora J, Rector J, Wood-Thornsbury A, Kennedy N. Guideline-based exercise management for hip and knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional comparison of healthcare professional and patient beliefs in Ireland. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080646. [PMID: 38969380 PMCID: PMC11227783 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify within-stakeholder agreement and between-stakeholder differences in beliefs regarding exercise for osteoarthritis among general practitioners (GPs), physiotherapists (PTs) and people with hip and knee osteoarthritis (PwOA). A secondary objective was to explore the association between referral patterns and beliefs of PwOA. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Online surveys administered to GPs, PTs and PwOA in Ireland via social media and healthcare networks. PARTICIPANTS 421 valid responses (n=161 GPs, n=163 PTs, n=97 PwOA). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Nine belief statements related to exercise effectiveness, safety and delivery were rated on a 5-point Likert scale and analysed for within-stakeholder consensus. χ2 tests assessed differences in agreement between groups. Multivariable linear regression models tested associations between beliefs in PwOA and referral to/attendance at physiotherapy. RESULTS Positive within-stakeholder consensus (>75% agreement) was reached for most statements (7/9 GPs, 6/9 PTs, 5/9 PwOA). However, beliefs of PwOA were significantly less positive compared with healthcare professionals for six statements. All stakeholders disagreed that exercise is effective regardless of the level of pain. Attendance at physiotherapy (49% of PwOA), rather than referral to physiotherapy from a GP only, was associated with positive exercise beliefs for PwOA (β=0.287 (95% CI 0.299 to 1.821)). CONCLUSIONS Beliefs about exercise therapy for osteoarthritis are predominantly positive across all stakeholders, although less positive in PwOA. PwOA are more likely to have positive beliefs if they have seen a PT for their osteoarthritis. Knowledge translation should highlight the effectiveness of exercise for all levels of pain and osteoarthritis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clodagh M Toomey
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Participatory Health Research Unit, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Avantika Bhardwaj
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jacqui Browne
- Patient Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Ian Dowling
- Ian Dowling Physiotherapy Clinic, Limerick, Ireland
- Clinician Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Stacey Grealis
- Patient Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
- Centre of Arthritis Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Hayes
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Clinician Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Niall Higgins
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Darragh Maguire
- Clinician Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
- Department of Physiotherapy, National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John O'Hora
- Clinician Author, IMPACT Steering Committee, Limerick, Ireland
- Community Healthcare West, Health Service Executive, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
| | - Joseph Rector
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Norelee Kennedy
- School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Bishop FL, Cross N, Dewar-Haggart R, Teasdale E, Herbert A, Robinson ME, Ridd MJ, Mallen C, Clarson L, Bostock J, Becque T, Stuart B, Garfield K, Morrison L, Pollet S, Vennik J, Atherton H, Howick J, Leydon GM, Nuttall J, Islam N, Lee PH, Little P, Everitt HA. Talking in primary care (TIP): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary care to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients' musculoskeletal pain and enablement. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e081932. [PMID: 38508652 PMCID: PMC10953007 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Effective communication can help optimise healthcare interactions and patient outcomes. However, few interventions have been tested clinically, subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis or are sufficiently brief and well-described for implementation in primary care. This paper presents the protocol for determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a rigorously developed brief eLearning tool, EMPathicO, among patients with and without musculoskeletal pain. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A cluster randomised controlled trial in general practitioner (GP) surgeries in England and Wales serving patients from diverse geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. GP surgeries are randomised (1:1) to receive EMPathicO e-learning immediately, or at trial end. Eligible practitioners (eg, GPs, physiotherapists and nurse practitioners) are involved in managing primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain. Patient recruitment is managed by practice staff and researchers. Target recruitment is 840 adults with and 840 without musculoskeletal pain consulting face-to-face, by telephone or video. Patients complete web-based questionnaires at preconsultation baseline, 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months later. There are two patient-reported primary outcomes: pain intensity and patient enablement. Cost-effectiveness is considered from the National Health Service and societal perspectives. Secondary and process measures include practitioner patterns of use of EMPathicO, practitioner-reported self-efficacy and intentions, patient-reported symptom severity, quality of life, satisfaction, perceptions of practitioner empathy and optimism, treatment expectancies, anxiety, depression and continuity of care. Purposive subsamples of patients, practitioners and practice staff take part in up to two qualitative, semistructured interviews. ETHICS APPROVAL AND DISSEMINATION Approved by the South Central Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee on 1 July 2022 and the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales on 6 July 2022 (REC reference 22/SC/0145; IRAS project ID 312208). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed academic publications, conference presentations and patient and practitioner outlets. If successful, EMPathicO could quickly be made available at a low cost to primary care practices across the country. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN18010240.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia Cross
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rachel Dewar-Haggart
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emma Teasdale
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Amy Herbert
- Centre of Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Matthew J Ridd
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
| | - Christian Mallen
- Keele School of Medicine, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK
| | - Lorna Clarson
- Keele School of Medicine, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK
| | - Jennifer Bostock
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Taeko Becque
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Beth Stuart
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, London, UK
| | - Kirsty Garfield
- Health Economics Bristol, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Leanne Morrison
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sebastien Pollet
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jane Vennik
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Helen Atherton
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Unit of Academic Primary Care, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jeremy Howick
- Leicester Medical School, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Geraldine M Leydon
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jacqui Nuttall
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Nazrul Islam
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Paul H Lee
- Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Hazel A Everitt
- Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Science, and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Frank AO. Quick questions can show both physical and emotional consequences of osteoarthritis diagnosis. BMJ 2023; 380:427. [PMID: 36813285 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.p427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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Vennu V, Abdulrahman TA, Alenazi AM, Bindawas SM. Annual income, age, marital status, and smoking influence healthcare access among American minorities and Caucasians with knee osteoarthritis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/20479700.2023.2166806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Vennu
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Aqeel M. Alenazi
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad M. Bindawas
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Clinician views on optimism and empathy in primary care consultations. BJGP Open 2022; 6:BJGPO.2021.0221. [PMID: 35379688 PMCID: PMC9680746 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2021.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Practitioner expressions of optimism and empathy may improve treatment engagement, adherence, and patient satisfaction but are not delivered consistently amid the challenges of everyday clinical practice. Aim To explore primary care practitioner (PCP) views about optimistic and empathic communication in consultations; and to identify behavioural, attitudinal, and/or contextual issues likely to encourage or deter PCPs from practising such communication. Design & setting Qualitative interview study with 20 PCPs (GPs, practice nurses, and primary care physiotherapists). Method Semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 PCPs. Data were analysed thematically. Results A conceptual mismatch between optimism and patient expectations became apparent; when asked how PCPs communicate about the likely effects of a treatment, answers were focussed around managing patient expectations. When prompted, it became clear PCPs were open to communicating optimistically with patients, but emphasised the need for realism. Concerns arose that patients may not be receptive to optimistic messages, especially when holding negative expectations. PCPs felt that expressing empathy is fundamental to all clinical consultations, noting that it can be challenging. Some PCPs worried that increasing expressions of empathy might increase their risk of clinician burnout and felt guilty about (appropriately) communicating empathy while maintaining some emotional distance. Conclusion PCPs agreed expressing realistic optimism during consultations could aid communication and would constitute a novel change to practice. PCPs strive for clinical empathy but can struggle to manage emotional self-protection. Specific training to help PCPs express realistic optimism and empathy, and better utilise efficient non-verbal skills could help these issues.
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Smith KA, Vennik J, Morrison L, Hughes S, Steele M, Tiwari R, Bostock J, Howick J, Mallen C, Little P, Ratnapalan M, Lyness E, Misurya P, Leydon GM, Dambha-Miller H, Everitt HA, Bishop FL. Harnessing Placebo Effects in Primary Care: Using the Person-Based Approach to Develop an Online Intervention to Enhance Practitioners' Communication of Clinical Empathy and Realistic Optimism During Consultations. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2021; 2:721222. [PMID: 35295512 PMCID: PMC8915751 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.721222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Empathic communication and positive messages are important components of "placebo" effects and can improve patient outcomes, including pain. Communicating empathy and optimism to patients within consultations may also enhance the effects of verum, i.e., non-placebo, treatments. This is particularly relevant for osteoarthritis, which is common, costly and difficult to manage. Digital interventions can be effective tools for changing practitioner behavior. This paper describes the systematic planning, development and optimization of an online intervention-"Empathico"-to help primary healthcare practitioners enhance their communication of clinical empathy and realistic optimism during consultations. Methods: The Person-Based Approach to intervention development was used. This entailed integrating insights from placebo and behavior change theory and evidence, and conducting primary and secondary qualitative research. Systematic literature reviews identified barriers, facilitators, and promising methods for enhancing clinical empathy and realistic optimism. Qualitative studies explored practitioners' and patients' perspectives, initially on the communication of clinical empathy and realistic optimism and subsequently on different iterations of the Empathico intervention. Insights from the literature reviews, qualitative studies and public contributor input were integrated into a logic model, behavioral analysis and principles that guided intervention development and optimization. Results: The Empathico intervention comprises 7 sections: Introduction, Empathy, Optimism, Application of Empathico for Osteoarthritis, Reflection on my Consultations, Setting Goals and Further Resources. Iterative refinement of Empathico, using feedback from patients and practitioners, resulted in highly positive feedback and helped to (1) contextualize evidence-based recommendations from placebo studies within the complexities of primary healthcare consultations and (2) ensure the intervention addressed practitioners' and patients' concerns and priorities. Conclusions: We have developed an evidence-based, theoretically-grounded intervention that should enable practitioners to better harness placebo effects of communication in consultations. The extensive use of qualitative research throughout the development and optimization process ensured that Empathico is highly acceptable and meaningful to practitioners. This means that practitioners are more likely to engage with Empathico and make changes to enhance their communication of clinical empathy and realistic optimism in clinical practice. Empathico is now ready to be evaluated in a large-scale randomized trial to explore its impact on patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten A. Smith
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Vennik
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Morrison
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Hughes
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Steele
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Riya Tiwari
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Bostock
- Policy Innovation & Evaluation Research Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Howick
- Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Mallen
- Primary Care Centre Versus Arthritis, School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mohana Ratnapalan
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Lyness
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Pranati Misurya
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine M. Leydon
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Hajira Dambha-Miller
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel A. Everitt
- Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity L. Bishop
- Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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