Improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Arthritis Research
Scientific Study Title: Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Arthritis Research: A Mixed-Methods Group Concept Mapping Approach
Study Start Date: 2025
Study End Date: 2028
Why Do This Research?
Arthritis affects more than six million people in Canada. Arthritis research is extremely important so that we can find better treatments and supports, since there is currently no cure. Past research in Canada has left out certain groups of people, especially those from diverse backgrounds or those who face disadvantages. There has been little attention given to why some people have worse health outcomes than others, and how to make research more inclusive for everyone. We are doing this study to support more inclusive research on arthritis care and treatment.
What Will be Done?
The project will have two parts.
First, the research team will interview people living with arthritis to design a demographic survey that collects better information about their backgrounds and experiences. Our aim for designing this survey is that researchers can use this in future studies to understand what contributes to unfair differences in health (inequities).
Second, the research team will hold group sessions, both online and in person, with people affected by arthritis. The aim is to come up with ideas to include more diverse communities in arthritis research.
Who is Involved?
This project will bring together patients, researchers, healthcare providers, and decision-makers like arthritis organizations and funders to help make arthritis research more inclusive.
How are Equity, Diversity and Inclusion addressed or taken into consideration? This study is focused on understanding how to better include people from diverse backgrounds in arthritis research. By listening to a wide range of voices and perspectives, the project aims to identify practical ways to make arthritis research more fair, inclusive, and representative of everyone affected by the disease.
The Research Team:
Principal Investigators:
Mary De Vera, MSc, PhD, Senior Scientist, Pharmacoepidemiology, Associate Director of Training, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
Co-investigators:
Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Calgary)
Aniruddha Methi, MSc Student, Arthritis Research Canada Trainee, (University of British Columbia)
Codie Primeau, BScSAP, MSc, MPT, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada, (University of Western Ontario)
Megan Thomas, BSc, MSc, PhD, Former Arthritis Research Canada Trainee, (University of British Columbia)
Dwayne R Tucker, MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Arthritis Research Canada Trainee (University of British Columbia)
Hui Xie, BSc, MS, PhD, Research Scientist, Biostatistics, Arthritis Research Canada (Simon Fraser University)
Who Funded This Research?
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
