Research | ARMA

National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit Report

The National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) State of the Nation Summary Report 2024 was published on 10 October 2024.

NEIAA is commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP) and is delivered by the British Society for Rheumatology.

The audit aims to improve the quality of care for people living with inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disease, and systemic vasculitis, collecting information on all adults with a new diagnosis in English and Welsh specialist rheumatology departments. …

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Physio First’s flagship Data for Impact project

In October 2024, Physio First’s Data for Impact (DfI) and Quality Assurance schemes will be relocating to the prestigious Centre for Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Research at Keele University. This strategic move signifies a substantial advancement in the quality of care for musculoskeletal conditions, benefiting both clinicians and patients alike.

The integration of the DfI with the Keele University-led National MSK Audit and Research Database will provide a comprehensive platform for real-time data collection and analysis from approximately 700 private practices and NHS community services.…

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New report on innovation in MSK health

The NIHR Innovation Observatory has undertaken a global horizon scan, supported by ORUK, to identify emerging MSK medical and digital health and care technologies with the potential to reduce the occurrence of MSK conditions, improve health outcomes and provide efficiencies within delivery of health and care services for people with poor MSK conditions.

It is anticipated that the research findings will be used to highlight early-stage technological innovations to prevent and manage MSK conditions and identify areas of unmet need. The report includes a breakdown of 109 innovative technologies (either regulated medical devices or digital interventions.…

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People’s Experiences of Diagnosis

National Voices has published a new report, People’s experiences of diagnosis, which brings together insights from people with lived experience and members on the entire process of diagnosis – from trying to get an appointment for a diagnostic referral, to undergoing tests, and experiences post-diagnosis.

The report covers the themes of challenges in diagnosis, inequalities in diagnosis, and new innovation in diagnosis, before concluding with nine recommendations for improving patient experience of diagnosis.

These nine recommendations include:

Adjustments and adaptations to enable access
Provide better support while waiting
Listen to the patient
Better communication around diagnosis
Make sure people have a plan
Provide access to support groups
Collect better data to understand the driver of diagnostic health inequalities, and act on it rapidly
Upskill, coordinate and ultimately increase the workforce
Have health equity embedded into new innovations the start

You can read the full report here (pcdn.co)…

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The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024

The State of Musculoskeletal Health is Versus Arthritis’ annual statistics compendium of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This includes how many people have these conditions, who is at risk of developing these conditions, and its impact on people, the health system and society. Health inequalities relating to musculoskeletal conditions have been highlighted throughout the document.

The new 2024 version includes new topics, including new data on chronic pain in Scotland and a summary of prevalence figures for some of the main types of arthritis.…

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New ORUK Research Funding Opportunities

Orthopaedic Research (ORUK) is one of the most significant funders of orthopaedic and MSK research in the UK. MSK researchers should check out these latest funding opportunities from ORUK.

Early Career Research fellowship: Up to £55K for 1 year or £110K across 2 years is available to support the brightest and best clinical/nonclinical talents interested in advancing MSK research in the UK. Application deadline: 24th June for initial expression of interest.

Furlong Fund: Investment of up to £100K in startups and supporting entrepreneurs accelerate innovative and commercially viable ideas to solve the unmet needs of society around bone, joint and muscle wellbeing.…

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Financial Boost for MSK Early Career Researchers

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has received an award of over £750,000 from the Government to support its research programme. This funding will enable the charity to increase support for early-career clinical researchers and academic scientists interested in building and expanding their MSK research portfolio.

ORUK supports early-career researchers working on a wide range of MSK-related research projects across the UK and has invested £13.59m in the past two decades on research projects that expand knowledge, improve patient outcomes and pioneer new forms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management.…

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ORUK Announces New Research Fellowships

Applications are open for ORUK research fellowships in partnership with the BOA, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, British Scoliosis Society (BSS) and The British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS).

Two BOA/ORUK fellowships of up to £65k are available for a project in any area of orthopaedics including basic science, diagnosis, treatment, surgical technology, AI, logistics or audit. The research can be self-contained or part of a wider research programme and should be integral to the applicant pursuing a higher degree.…

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New Oliver Bird Funding for MSK

£6 million of research funding to improve the lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions.

The Nuffield Foundation, in partnership with Versus Arthritis, has announced £6 million for new research funding to improve the well-being of people living with musculoskeletal conditions in the UK, with a focus outside clinical settings. Applications for the Oliver Bird Fund can consider any stage in the life course; those challenging ethnic, income, gender and other inequalities are particularly welcome, and the Foundation encourages applications from teams across all four UK nations.…

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The TIPTOE Study into knee/hip pain

Do you or someone you know have knee or hip joint pain that is impacting daily life?

The TIPTOE research study is aimed at people 70+ with knee and / or hip pain, comparing a new support package, which aims to give people the knowledge, confidence and skills to live well independently, with standard care.

If you decide to take part, you will be put at random into one of two groups:

TIPTOE Support programme: this includes having up to 6 personalised coaching sessions with a trained healthcare practitioner and you will also receive a copy of our ‘living well with joint pain’ book.

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