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  • What We're Working On
A New Model of At-Home Follow-Up Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis
a woman explaining the new model of at-home follow-up care for rheumatoid arthritis
Scientific Study Title:
Acceptability of a nurse-led telehealth remote self-monitoring model of care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a multicentre randomized pilot study
Start Date:
  • 2026
End Date:
  • 2028
Research Category
Tags
Laetitia Michou, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Laëtitia Michou
Research Scientist, Rheumatology, MD, PhD
image of Dr. Diane Lacaille
Diane Lacaille
MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Rheumatology
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Alison Hoens
Knowledge Broker, MSc, BScPT
Hugues Allard Chamard, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Hugues Allard-Chamard
Research Scientist, Rheumatology, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Inés Colmegna, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Inés Colmegna
Research Scientist, Rheumatology, MD
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Linda Li
Senior Scientist, Implementation Science, BSc(PT), MSc, PhD, FCAHS
Susan Bartlett, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Susan Bartlett
Research Scientist, Medicine, PhD, M-ARP
Claire Barber-Website Headshot-400x400
Claire Barber
Research Scientist, Rheumatology, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Why do this research?

Canada needs new ways to provide care for people living with rheumatoid arthritis that improve treatment and make it easier for people to get high-quality care. E-health technology is a new and promising way to do this. E-health means using digital tools like apps and computers. It can benefit patients, especially those who live far away, and can help meet their needs between regular doctor visits while keeping the quality of care high. E-health hasn’t been studied much in rheumatology.

This study will test a new way of providing care, where nurses will help patients monitor their rheumatoid arthritis from home using an online platform. This study will check if the new approach is easy to use, fits well into the clinics’ daily routine, and if both patients and healthcare workers find it helpful and acceptable.

What will be done?

This study will include adults, from four clinics in Quebec, who have rheumatoid arthritis and had a flare-up or a change in their medication in the last 3 months. Patients will be randomized into two groups:

  1. Some will start using the online self-monitoring tool right away for 16 months,
  2. Others will continue with their usual care for 8 months before trying the tool.

While using the tool, patients will fill out monthly online questionnaires to check their health. A rheumatology nurse will review their answers, suggest any needed care, provide personalized health information, and be available to answer questions through messages.

How are equity, diversity and inclusion addressed?

  • Recruitment advertisements will be posted in each rheumatology clinic waiting room. Rheumatologists will offer study enrollment to all consecutive eligible patients (in-person and virtual appointments).
  • French and English-speaking patients may participate in the project.
  • All research participation is online, so patients living remotely and/or having mobility issues can participate.

The Research Team

Louis Bessette, MD, FRCPC, MSc (Université Laval)

Javier Marrugo (Université de Sherbrooke)

Mame Awa Ndiaye (Université Laval)

 

Who Funded This Research?

Arthritis Society Canada

How Can People Get Involved?

  • Team of rheumatologists and researchers across Canada
  • Rheumatology nurses and research nurses
  • Resident in internal medicine
  • Research assistant
  • Biostatistician
  • Informatic support for the tool
  • Patient Partners

Two patient partners from the PIRA (patients intéressés par la recherche sur l’arthrite) group have been involved, since the beginning of the project, and will remain on this research project.

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