Invitation to participate for orthopaedic surgeons - PATHWAY Phase Two

What factors are important in determining wait-list priority for those awaiting hip and knee replacement?

Invitation to participate / Information sheet for surgeons

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to large increases in the time that people are having to wait for hip and knee replacement once it has been decided they should undergo surgery.

Historically the main factor that has decided priority for surgery was the time that the patient has waited for their operation. There are however other factors that should also perhaps be considered (for example quality of life whilst living with arthritis or return to work requirements).

Given the very long waits that people are now experiencing for surgery (more than two years in some situations), we feel it is important to work out which factors should be included when deciding which individuals should be prioritised.

We are therefore looking for the help of orthopaedic surgeons based within the U.K. & who regularly perform hip and knee replacement to help us answer this important question as part of a research study led by the University of Aberdeen. This is part 2 of this two stage study.

In the 1st stage we previously asked surgeons and patients to tell us what factors should be included in determining patient priority. Through the use of Delphi methodology consensus inclusion was achieved on 7 attributes: Pain, Mobility, Activities of Daily Living, Inability to work/care, Length of time waited, Radiological Severity, and Mental wellbeing.

This second part will now utilise a Discrete Choice Experiment to determine the relative priority of these attributes. There are a total of 18 questions where you will choose between two alternatives. There is no need for previous experience of research to take part.

As part of the study, some basic information about you and your background will be collected. All information collected about you and your opinions will be kept strictly confidential and securely stored. As part of the study information will be securely shared between Clinvivo Ltd (the company supplying the software for the surveys), and the University of Aberdeen (where the information will be analysed).

The Chief Investigator for the study is Mr G.P. Ashcroft.

Contact information

For further information you can contact Luke Farrow or visit the ARCHERY - PATHWAY section of our website.

We really appreciate you considering being part of this study and hope you are able to help us address this important problem.

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Frequently asked questions / Further information

What is the purpose of the study?: This study sets out to try and determine which factors (for example age, working status, pain levels) should be used to decide how patients can be better prioritised for hip and knee replacement surgery.
Why have I been chosen?: You have been invited on the basis of your status as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon; involvement with our collaborators; or identified interest through our social media campaign.
Do I have to take part?: No. It is up to you to decide whether to take part. A decision to not participate will not affect your status in any way. If you do decide to take part then you should click the link on the first page of this information sheet. This will take you to the homepage which provides further details about the logistics of taking part. You will be asked to tick a box to confirm that you consent to participate during the initial stages of the questionnaire. If you decide to take part you are free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.
What will happen if I take part?: You will be asked a series of 18 questions where you asked to choose between two theoretical patients as to whom merits the greater priority based on their set of included attributes. These attributes will vary from question to question. If sufficient numbers of individuals take part then we will be able to develop an algorithm that can help determine the comparative priority of individual patients based on their attributes.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?: You will get the opportunity to have your voice heard, and help guide decision making regarding the future prioritisation of individuals who are awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery. At the end of the study all participants will be sent a summary sheet containing the findings and links to any reports published.
Who is organising and funding the research?: The study is sponsored by the University of Aberdeen, and Funded by the Knowledge Exchange Commission at the University of Aberdeen.
Who has reviewed the study?: The study has been reviewed by the University of Aberdeen Institute of Applied Health Science School Ethics Review Board and approved on 22/03/2022 - Reference number SERB/2021/12/2210.