Make a difference to patients in the future
- In the future, data from smartphones and wearable devices could help to answer many of the questions that people have about their health.
- The Health Research from Home team are exploring how best to link data from smartphones and wearable devices with existing research data.
- One project is exploring activity after knee replacement surgery. Find out how you could have your say below.
Join a new Patient Advisory Group
1 in 5 people aged over 50 in the UK experience a degenerative knee joint disease, Knee Osteoarthritis.
This can be treated with a joint replacement, an operation where the damaged knee surfaces are replaced to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Before their operation, patients want to know how long their recovery will take and how much mobility they will regain. The Physical Activity Patterns after Knee Arthroplasty (PAPrKA) research study will help to answer these questions by using data that patients will share from smartphones and wearable fitness devices.
We’re looking for people to join a new Patient Advisory Group to:
Share perspectives, experiences and ideas
Make sure information about the study is clear and easy to understand
Explore how to feedback results to participants
Keep the project focused on what really matters to patients
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for people from a range of different backgrounds who have:
Experience of joint replacement surgery (any joint), and/or
Experience of using wearable technology or using smartphone apps to track activity (steps, and physical activity which can include household chores and gardening as well as exercise like running and cycling etc.)
You don’t need to have any experience of research to get involved, but you need to be comfortable to share your perspective and experience in group settings.
We’re committed to ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds and with different experiences have a say in research. We aim to make our opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible. If there is anything that we can do to enable you to take part, please let us know.
What to expect?
You’ll be part of a group of around 6 people advising the study. The group will meet mostly online via Zoom 2–4 times a year over the next two years, with opportunities to meet in person. Meetings will be friendly and informal and supported by a Vocal team member.
How we can support you:
You will be paid £27.5 per hour for your time.
We’ll cover pre-agreed expenses, including translation and interpretation, BSL interpreters, carers, taxis, or other services that help you to take part.
Training and support will be provided by Vocal.
How to get involved
If you’d like to find out more about the group and how to get involved, please contact Paolo on vocal@mft.nhs.uk