REMORA 2 (Remote Monitoring of Rheumatoid Arthritis) Feasibility Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Transforming outpatient consultations by integrating regular symptom tracking into clinical care: the REmote MOnitoring of Rheumatoid Arthritis (REMORA2) Feasibility Study

  • IRAS ID

    310318

  • Contact name

    Will Dixon

  • Contact email

    Will.Dixon@manchester.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Manchester

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 9 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    REMORA 2 is a mixed-methods feasibility study, funded by the NIHR, to inform the decision to proceed with a multi-centre stepped wedge RCT to provide evidence on the effectiveness and impact of integrating daily patient generated health data into the electronic health record of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to investigate barriers - and ways to enhance uptake – to the use of this intervention for marginalised groups.
    RA is a common chronic inflammatory disease which exemplifies challenges in the management of long-term conditions. Current best practice (6/12-monthly reviews) can lead to gaps in knowledge which prevent effective disease management; symptom tracking via a mobile phone app has previously been demonstrated to improve shared decision making and provide a clearer picture of fluctuations in patient’s condition.
    Up to 30 clinicians will be recruited across two NHS sites, to be trained on the use of patient generated data in the EHR. Patients seen by consenting clinicians will be recruited to use the app. Clinical consultations will be observed for a subset of consenting clinicians and patients. Quantitative data will be collected on recruitment rates, use of the app and use of the data during consultations. Qualitative data on experiences of using the app and patient generated data will be gathered in semi structured interviews.
    Patients who would be excluded from the use of the app, or decline to use the app, will be recruited to take part in interviews on barriers to digital inclusion, including Urdu-speaking patients and carers.
    Local community group members who live with, or care for people with RA/RMD and who self-identify as being from a group at risk of digital exclusion, will be recruited to take part in focus groups to improve study processes and documents, to maximise participation.
    Data collection will take place between April 2022 and September 2023.

  • REC name

    South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/SC/0103

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Apr 2022

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion