Participants needed:  Rheumatoid arthritis care for diverse populations in Canada – supporting changes to better reflect realities

Study Title: Rheumatoid arthritis care for diverse populations in Canada – supporting changes to better reflect realities

Study dates: 

April 2021 – 2023

Why do this 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 need 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.

What will be done?

We will gather information to understand the rheumatoid arthritis care experience for Black Canadians and Canadians with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. That information will inform how RA treatment recommendations are put into practice, so that the approaches taken reflect their needs and realities.

We are currently conducting individual interviews with patients and health providers across Canada to discuss personal experiences and thoughts of any inequities that may be faced in rheumatology care.

Participants are asked to share their experiences in a 45–90-minute interview by videoconference (Zoom) or telephone.

 A $50 gift card is provided to express appreciation of participant’s contribution.

Who is on the research team?

Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada
Associate Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Diane Lacaille, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada
Mary Pack Chair in Rheumatology Research
Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Associate Head of Academic Affairs, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia

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

Dr. Aurore Fifi-Mah, Clinical Associate Professor- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Nicole Johnson, Clinical Associate Professor- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital

Dr. Brett Thombs, Professor- McGill University, Lead- Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN)

Dr. Richard Henry, PostDoctoral Fellow, Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN)

Cheryl Koehn, President, Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE)

Therese Lane, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA)

Michael Kuluva, Creaky Joints Canada

Kelly English, Arthritis Patient Advisory Board (APAB)

Nejat Hassen, Masters student, The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Megan Thomas, PhD student, The University of British Columbia (UBC)

This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB19-0695)