2011 Grant Awards

The posters and papers listed below each grant arise from work facilitated through the grant funding.

Development and Pilot Testing of a Patient Passport for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Principal Investigator: Lacaille, D (PDF)
Co-investigators: Adam, P; Li, L; Townsend, A; Goldsmith, C; Mitchell, B; Ellert, G; Prestley, N

Project Summary

Patient passports have been used in chronic diseases to promote the active involvement of patients in their care, and have led to better treatment and health outcomes. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the ‘Treat to Target’ approach emphasizes the importance of regular assessment and modifying therapy until the target (remission or low disease activity) is reached. Active involvement of RA patients in monitoring their own disease activity could facilitate this approach by providing early warning when targets are not being met. The Arthritis Health Journal (AHJ) is a patient-centered online tool that helps patients track symptoms, monitor disease activity and develop action plans.

In a study comparing patient self-report and rheumatologist evaluation of disease activity using validated disease activity indices (CDAI, SDAI and RAPID-4), we found good agreement with little difference between instruments used. These results suggest that patients are able to assess their own disease activity, which may be helpful in guiding the need for physician visit and medication adjustments.

In semi-structured interviews with rheumatologists and people with RA, both groups felt that the Arthritis Health Journal could increase self-awareness and provide a more objective measure of a patient’s condition. Patients found it would be an effective way to monitor successful and unsuccessful disease management strategies. Rheumatologists expressed fear that patient’s use of the AHJ could overwhelm them with information or lead to heightened anxiety.

Oral Presentations

AL Osaimi, N; Carruthers, E; Goldsmith, C; Adam, P; Lacaille, D. Podium Presentation. American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting.  October 2013. San Diego, CA, Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Self-Monitor Their Disease Activity?  (PDF)

Poster Presentations

Presented at the 2013 British Columbia Alliance on Telehealth Policy and Research (BCATPR) Workshop.

Presented at the 2013 University of British Columbia Resident Research Day.

Presented at the 2013 American College of Rheumatology meeting.

Presented at the 2014 Canadian Rheumatology Association meeting.

Presented at the 2014 Canadian Rheumatology Association meeting.

Presented at the 2015 Canadian Rheumatology Association meeting.

Presented at the 2015 American College of Rheumatology meeting.

Presented at the 2016 Canadian Rheumatology Association meeting.