What We're Working On

Connecting Voices for Equitable Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Access

Scientific Study Title:

Connecting Voices, Bridging Care: A Virtual Knowledge Mobilization Initiative for Equitable Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Access

Start Date:

May 2026

End Date:

May 2027

Research Category

Arthritis Care

Why do this research?

Many people living in Canada with rheumatoid arthritis, especially those living in rural areas, immigrants, people with lower incomes, LGBTQ+ individuals, French speakers outside Quebec, and people with mobility challenges, face significant barriers getting from their first symptoms to seeing a specialist. These delays can lead to irreversible joint damage and reduced quality of life.

What will be done?

We will bring together people with rheumatoid arthritis from underserved communities (rural areas, immigrants, people with lower incomes, LGBTQ+ individuals, French speakers outside Quebec) with healthcare providers, researchers, and health system leaders through online workshops. Together, we will create visual “journey maps” that show what happens from when someone first notices symptoms through getting diagnosed and starting treatment. These maps will highlight where the largest barriers exist and what resources are needed.

People with arthritis will lead these sessions and will share their experiences and identifying what support they needed at each stage. These journey maps will then provide immediate practical tools for healthcare providers to better support patients and help community organizations to assist people seeking care. The maps will also identify specific priority areas for future projects that change how the healthcare system works, catalyzing real-world improvements to reduce barriers and inequities in arthritis care access.

How are equity, diversity and inclusion addressed?

The six target communities were chosen because they face the greatest barriers to rheumatoid arthritis care and are least represented in research. Many participants will belong to more than one underserved group, and the journey mapping process is designed to capture how overlapping identities shape care experiences. All sessions are virtual, with interpretation, cultural support, technology loans, and honoraria available to remove barriers to participation. Patient-facing materials are reviewed by people with lived experience before use.

The Research Team

Principal Investigators:

Allyson Jones, PT, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Alberta)

Claire Barber, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Calgary)

Neil Drummond, PhD (University of Alberta)

Co-investigators:

Sharon Koehn, PhD, Project Coordinator (Simon Fraser University)

Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Hongmei Tong MSW PhD, (MacEwan University)

Denise Cloutier PhD (University of Victoria)

Doug Klein MD MSc FCFP (University of Alberta)

Knowledge Users:

Ehren Ackerman, Patient Research Partner Mentor

Carolyn Goard, PhD, Arthritis Society Canada

Jennifer Lorca, Patient Research Partner Mentor

Laurie Proulx, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance

Monika Szpunar, MSc, PhD, Knowledge Mobilization Associate, Arthritis Research Canada

Collaborators:

Lara Nixon, MD (University of Calgary)

Lisa Jasper, PT, PhD (University of Alberta)

Partner Agencies:

ASSIST Community Services Centre
Centre for Newcomers
Calgary Outlink
Pride Centre of Edmonton

Who Funded This Research?

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Catalyst Grant: Partnering for Impact

How Can People Get Involved?

This project brings together people living with rheumatoid arthritis from underserved communities, health and social care professionals, researchers, and community partner organizations. People with rheumatoid arthritis serve as co-researchers, not just participants, and are supported by two experienced Patient Research Partner Mentors with lived experience of rheumatoid arthritis.

Media and Infographics

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