SAT0583-HPR - Differences between service providers and users when defining feasible optimal NHS occupational therapy treatment for patients with thumb base OA : results from a Delphi study

Boucas, SB; Hislop Lennie, K; Dziedzic, K; Arden, N; Burridge, J; Hammond, A; Stokes, A; Lewis, M; Gooberman-Hill, R; Coales, K; Adams, J

Abstract

Background: The OTTER (OsTeoarthritis Thumb ThERapy) trial is a two-year developmental study for a full randomised controlled trial (RCT) into the clinical and cost effectiveness of an occupational therapy and splint intervention for thumb base OA. To develop an optimal package of care for evaluation within a multi-centre RCT, the views of both clinicians and patients are crucial.

Objectives: To conduct a Delphi study to obtain agreement between both patients with thumb base OA and AHPs concerning the most appropriate optimal NHS OT programme, splint and placebo splint intervention to use in the RCT.

Methods: The Delphi panel consisted of 63 AHPs experienced in treating adults with thumb base OA, and 7 patients with thumb base OA. The panel were asked to rate how much they agreed or disagreed about what optimal NHS OT care for thumb base OA should include, and what method(s) of delivery (individual one-to-one, group, patient leaflets, or telephone advice) they deemed were more appropriate. The Delphi study comprised 3 rounds. A seven-point Likert-type scale was used. Pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied in order to reach a final number of statements which, in turn, created the desired tool. Group differences were analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: Between-groups analyses showed significant differences in the ratings of overall importance of items to be included in an optimal NHS OT consultation (Table 1).

Conclusions: AHPs and patients differed in their views about the importance of including ‘Education for Family/Significant Others/Carers’, ‘NHS Clinic Procedures’, ‘Prognosis Advice’, ‘Referral to other Health Care Professional’, ‘Sleep Assessment and Management’ and ‘Treatment Options’ in an optimal NHS OT consultation, and in the methods of delivery used in the consultation. AHPs placed significantly less importance than patients on ‘One-to-One Contact’, ‘Leaflets’ and ‘Telephone Advice’. These findings demonstrate the importance of consulting with patients at an early stage in developing an intervention.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology EULAR 2013
• Publication Date: Jun 15, 2013
• Deposit Date: Sep 21, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 21, 2020
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.2307
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.2307
• Related Public URLs: http://ard.bmj.com/
• Additional Information: Access Information : This article has been accepted for publication in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013) following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.2307 © Authors, 2013; Event Type : Conference; Projects : The design, development and implementation of a randomised controlled trial into the effectiveness and efficacy of splints in thumb base osteoarthritis