Arthritis focus group shapes future research
At a large table, six individuals, each battling arthritis in various forms— be it in their knees, hips, toes, or feet—are gathered.
For the past five years, the OACR group has organised two to three focus groups annually, engaging individuals living with osteoarthritis. They are offered lunch and a gift card for their time. World-leading clinician researcher and head of OACR Professor David Hunter says consumers play a vital role in shaping medical research. “They’re key in making studies better, boosting recruitment and retention, ensuring ethical research, spreading findings, and pushing for implementation.” NSLHD is home to world-class clinical investigators and scientists. Our teams regularly run clinical trials and focus groups with consumers across all medical disciplines.
Over the next four hours, the Kolling Institute’s Osteoarthritis Clinical Research (OACR) team will unveil a clinical trial in need of volunteers and delve into multiple projects on which they are eagerly seeking feedback. Research Fellow and physiotherapist Dr Vicky Doung probes the group: Can a digital osteoarthritis coach app inspire better arthritis management? The My Joint Pain website fact sheets also come under scrutiny. What’s the verdict? Clinical Trials Program Lead Dr Karen Bracken asks if the advertisements for recruiting patients to a new clinical trial are clear. As the focus group banters, offers ideas, and delivers the occasional joke, researchers diligently take notes. Glenda Gartrell has joined various clinical trials, and this is her second time in a focus group. “I’ve been living with osteoarthritis for ages. Hearing others’ experiences is enlightening, and it reinforces my approach to managing my condition,” she says.
Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 650 million people worldwide.
To join an osteoarthritis clinical trial, go to: https://www.osteoarthritisresearch.com.au/
21
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online