Every year, our scientists and patient advisory group identify the studies and topics creating the most impact for people living with arthritis.
Uncover Our Focus for 2026Ongoing and completed studies across our full research portfolio, from prevention and treatment to care and health systems.
Explore Our ResearchMeet the scientists, clinicians, trainees, and patient advisory board members, driving discoveries
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Research Category
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Reason For Research
Some healthcare providers and researchers have a limited understanding of the barriers to care that exist for people who are members of populations that experience inequities. We needed to determine which approaches in rheumatology care are desired, effective and improve outcomes for all people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and put them into practice. The two years previous to this research, we explored the experiences of RA care of various populations: persons from rural and remote areas, those who are of Indigenous ethnicity, persons who are elderly with frailty, population groups who have immigrated to Canada, those who are homeless or have low income, and who are women pursuing motherhood. In speaking with people from these diverse communities and their healthcare providers, we developed guiding principles for RA treatment recommendations reflective of their unique circumstances. With this research, we sought to expand this work further.
Execution of Research
We gathered information to understand the RA care experience for Black Canadians and Canadians with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. This informed how RA treatment recommendations are put into practice, so that the approaches taken reflect their needs and realities. We shared the information we gathered by developing materials and an online medical education program for arthritis care providers in Canada. Our evaluation included the impact of this work on providers’ awareness and any changes they make in their approach to providing arthritis care.
Involvement
The research team included researchers with expertise in equity and guideline development, rheumatologists and patients representing Black Canadians and persons with diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We recruited up to 15 patients from each of these 2 population groups who have RA, and up to 15 rheumatology care providers who had experience in delivering care to persons from these populations. Once we designed the continuing medical education program, we advertised it to rheumatology care providers throughout Canada to take.