Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Personalized Outreach for Equitable Treatment in Rheumatology

This study, based in Vancouver, Canada, aims to understand how to help people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis attend their regular clinic appointments. Researchers want to see if offering a small payment (£15, or $20 Canadian) for each visit, or providing extra personal support (like phone calls or text reminders), helps people keep their appointments. They will compare these approaches to the usual way appointments are scheduled. The goal is to improve access to care for people living in the city. Participants will be in the study for six months and will complete surveys about their health, as well as attending monthly check-ups.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of British Columbia

Enrolment target

Start

02 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Rheumatic Diseases Inflammatory Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)Connective Tissue Disease

What is this study about?

Imagine you have a rheumatic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions often need regular doctor visits and blood tests to make sure your treatment is working well. Sometimes, life gets in the way, and it can be hard to make it to every appointment, especially if you live in a busy city. This study wants to find out how to make it easier for people in Vancouver to attend these important appointments.

The main idea is to see if offering a small payment (£15 for each visit where blood tests are done) or providing personalised support (like phone calls, texts, or even home visits to help you remember appointments or manage your medication) can encourage people to attend more regularly. The researchers believe that these extra steps could help people get the consistent care they need to manage their condition better and improve their overall health.

Ultimately, this study aims to improve how healthcare reaches everyone, especially those who might find it harder to get to appointments. By understanding what works best, the hope is to make sure more people with rheumatic diseases can get the regular care that keeps them well.

Key takeaways

The study aims to help people with rheumatic diseases attend their clinic appointments.
It tests if small payments or personal support can improve appointment attendance.
Participation involves monthly clinic visits and short surveys over six months.
You will receive about £15 ($20 Canadian) for each eligible visit.
The study is based in Vancouver, Canada.
You can stop participating at any time without affecting your usual care.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you would need to have certain types of rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. You also need to be a patient at one of the Vancouver Community Health Centres for your main healthcare. Participating means you must be willing to come to in-person appointments at the Pender Community Health Centre.

You must be at least 18 years old and able to understand and agree to take part in the study. It's also important that you can receive medical information and communicate in English. For safety and practical reasons, if you have a severe memory problem or a mental health condition that isn't being treated, which would make it very difficult to engage with the support or treatment, you might not be able to participate.

Also, you need to have a reliable way for the study team to contact you, such as a phone number or email address. This ensures they can get in touch for appointments or support.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do I have an inflammatory rheumatic disease (like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis)?
Am I a patient at a Vancouver Community Health Centre for my general healthcare?
Am I willing to attend monthly in-person appointments in Vancouver?
Am I at least 18 years old and can I agree to take part?
Can I communicate in English for my medical care?
Do I have a reliable way (phone, email) for the study team to contact me?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be involved for about six months. Firstly, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either you'll receive a small payment of £15 (about $20 Canadian) for each monthly clinic visit you attend where blood tests are completed, or you'll receive this payment plus extra personal support. This support might include phone calls, text messages, or even home visits based on what works best for you, to help with things like remembering appointments, managing medicines, and offering general support.

For the duration of the study, you'll need to attend monthly in-person check-ups at the clinic. If you are taking medicines that affect your immune system, these visits will also include important blood tests to monitor your health. You will also complete short surveys about your health and how you understand your condition when you start, and again after three and six months. At the end of the study, you'll have a chance to share your feedback about the programme.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some potential benefits, such as receiving extra support to manage your condition and attend appointments, which might lead to better health outcomes. You'll also receive a small payment for your time and effort at each eligible visit. There are very few direct risks to participating, as the study focuses on improving how you attend existing care, rather than testing new medications. However, sharing personal information is always handled with care, but like any research, there's a tiny risk of a breach, although this is highly unlikely. Remember, choosing to participate is completely voluntary, and you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Pender Community Health Centre
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada

Common questions

What is a rheumatic disease?

Rheumatic diseases affect your joints, bones, and muscles, and sometimes other parts of your body. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

What does 'outreach' mean here?

Outreach means getting extra personal support, like phone calls, text messages, or even home visits, to help you manage your health and remember appointments.

Will I get paid to join?

Yes, if you join, you will receive about £15 ($20 Canadian) for each monthly clinic visit you attend where blood tests are completed as part of the study.

How long will I be in the study?

You will be part of the study for about six months.

Do I have to live in Vancouver?

Yes, this study is for people who are patients at one of the Vancouver Community Health Centres for their main healthcare.

How to find out more

Chu Ming (Alec) Yu, MD

alec.yu@vch.ca 778-807-3323 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.