QI-HOA
Quality indicators for hand osteoarthritis
Project managers
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Hand osteoarthritis is one of the most common rheumatic joint diseases. There is no cure, but international guidelines state that information, hand exercises and the use of simple support splints and aids are effective measures to reduce pain and improve function. Research shows that the services offered to this patient group are inadequate. One method to improve this is to make information about recommended treatment available via digital solutions, such as applications for smartphones and via websites, also known as eHealth. This technology can be used to support patients in developing and adhering to useful coping strategies, and to collect data for use in research.
Quality indicators are a useful tool for monitoring the quality of treatment and investigating whether it improves when new treatment strategies are introduced. Quality indicators have been developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, but these are not adapted to the group with hand osteoarthritis, or the use of eHealth strategies.
The aim of this project is therefore to adapt an existing quality indicator set for patients with hand osteoarthritis and use eHealth strategies, and to investigate the measurement properties of the revised set.
WHO CAN JOIN?
An international expert group will agree on a set of quality indicators for hand osteoarthritis through a controlled voting process. This set will then be tested in a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of two treatments for patients with hand osteoarthritis.
Recruitment of participants for the expert group has been completed, while recruitment of participants in the randomized controlled trial will begin in the fall of 2023.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
In the first part of the project, an expert group of user representatives, clinicians and researchers participate in a guided voting process (Delphi process) to develop proposals for a set of quality indicators for hand osteoarthritis.
In the second part of the study, people with hand osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to two treatments, one of which also includes the use of Happy Hands, a treatment app for hand osteoarthritis. The fulfillment of quality indicators (pass rate) in the two groups will be measured before and after treatment in both groups, and compared to assess whether the quality indicator set captures the quality of treatment provided via different solutions.