Understanding Patient and Physician Perspectives Regarding Innovative Research in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Clinical Research
• Patient Engagement

Background:

• Optimal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment remains undetermined.
• Novel research approaches like pragmatic randomized clinical trials (pRCTs) and biomarker-driven trials are needed for personalized RA care.
• Patient and physician perspectives on these innovative research methods are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient and physician views on innovative RA research methods.
• To identify potential challenges and facilitators for implementing pragmatic randomized clinical trials (pRCTs) and biomarker-driven trials in RA clinical care.
• To enhance the success of future RA research innovations by incorporating end-user insights.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 3 focus groups with 17 RA patients and 1 focus group with 5 rheumatologists.
• Discussions focused on challenges in innovative RA research within a larger pRCT.
• Thematic analysis was performed using a self-management framework and patient engagement perspective.

Main Results:

• Patient themes included preferences for decision-making information, managing treatment challenges, and the patient-physician relationship.
• Physician themes covered research impact on management, trial feasibility (pRCTs, biomarker-driven), and randomization's effect on shared decision-making.
• Both groups expressed concerns about research disrupting daily activities and shared decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Patient and physician concerns highlight potential disruptions to daily life and shared decision-making in clinical research settings.
• Incorporating patient and physician perspectives on pRCTs and biomarker-driven trials is vital for research innovation success.
• Addressing these concerns can improve the integration of innovative research into RA clinical practice.