Choosing a Treatment Plan Based on Current Research AND Patient Preference

Scientific Study Title:

Bridging the Gap Between Research Evidence and Patient-Centered Treatment Approaches for Chronic Immune-Mediated Diseases

Principal Investigator:

Glen Hazlewood, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Research Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada

Co-PI’s:

N/A

Study Start Date:

2016/07/01

Study End Date:

2021/06/30

Why do this research?

Rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease are chronic conditions that affect people of all ages. They are both caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells in different parts of the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints, resulting in joint swelling, pain, and difficulty moving. In Crohn’s disease, the target is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or intestines, resulting in pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Both diseases have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life. While there is no cure, fortunately, there are many treatment options available. Choosing the best treatment for patients requires an understanding of what is important to people living with these conditions. Some treatments may work better but have potential side effects. Medications can be taken as pills, injections at home, or infusions at a clinic. Right now, making a treatment decision is based on current evidence from research and does not consider what a patient prefers.

What will be done?

We will conduct multiple studies to understand how to make treatment decisions based on research evidence that is the best fit with the unique characteristics of a patient’s disease as well as their preferences for treatment. This will include studies looking at the benefits and side effects for patients based on their personal disease characteristics and patient surveys to determine what is the most important when choosing treatments. From this information, we will understand which treatments patients would prefer, which will help inform patient-centred treatment recommendations and decision-making tools. We will also survey doctors to determine if they have different views about what is important to patients. The goal of this research program is to help doctors and patients choose treatments that best match both current research evidence and patients’ preferences.

Funding Agency:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Salary Award