How to self-examine for tender and swollen joints: co-producing a training video for people with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: This paper describes the co-production of a training video to support people with RA to self-examine for tender and swollen joints.

Methods: The patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) group supporting a remote monitoring study elected to develop a video to train people with RA how to self-examine for tender and swollen joints, because nothing appropriate was publicly available to fulfil their needs. A core team of PPIE group members and clinicians developed the video, with input from conception to dissemination from the PPIE group. The video was posted, open access, on a YouTube website in February 2021, alongside supporting materials. The number of monthly hits was tracked and a survey developed to ascertain feedback.

Results: The video received 1000 hits in the first week, and >40 000 at 10 months. The top three countries viewing the video were India, the USA and the UK, with a range of ages and gender profile broadly corresponding to those of RA patients. Forty-eight survey responses were received (26 patients and 22 clinicians). Patients reported an improvement in their ability to self-examine after watching this video. Eighty-six per cent of patients and 71% of clinicians would recommend the video. It has been used and disseminated by a number of national organizations within the UK.

Conclusion: This co-produced, open-access training video for people with RA, originally intended to support a research study into remote monitoring, has been well received, reflecting an international interest in self-examination.