98. Modification of a Validated Patient-Reported Experience Measure Tool for Rheumatoid Arthritis for Use in Other Rheumatic Conditions: Results of a Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: To date there have been no specific patient reported experience measures (PREMs) for rheumatology. PREMs would be a method of ascertaining that patients have an optimum experience when attending for their care. A multi-disciplinary group, Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis (CQRA; a joint working initiative between NHS, the UK National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society [NRAS] and pharmaceutical industry partner) developed a PREM for RA in 2012. The PREM was developed using focus groups from NRAS to identify important issues for patients, which were then mapped against the eight domains of the UK Department of Health Patient Experience Framework. The questionnaire designed uses the eight domains and focuses specifically on care management relating to RA and rheumatology Services. The final question asked respondents to evaluate their overall experience of the service. The construct validity of the PREM questionnaire has previously been evaluated (using Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency). This confirmed that the tool has good construct validity and is a valid instrument for measuring RA patient experience. The tool has now been modified for use in other rheumatic conditions. Methods: Comparison of subgroups of RA patients by duration (less than 2 years vs greater than 2 years disease duration) showed that the values of Cronbach's alpha were similar to those for the whole population. The PREM was modified, in CQRA workshops, for use in other rheumatic conditions (including Sjögren's syndrome, FM, SLE, gout, PMR, [adults with] JIA, chronic back pain, OA, inflammatory polyarthritis, AS, PsA, and scleroderma) using the same eight domains. The modified PREM was piloted and validated. Results: Preliminary data from 87 patients with non-RA conditions, with median age of 64 years (IQR 45, 74 years) 58 (67%) female and median disease duration 8 years (IQR 5,10 years) were analysed. Cronbach's alpha within the multi-question domains ranged from 0.70 to 0.91 and their percentage agreement with the question on overall care ranged from 0.64 to 0.92. These results are consistent with those obtained for the RA-specific PREM (0.61 to 0.93) and (0.56,0.81), respectively. Collection of data from the cohort is ongoing. Full results from the modified PREM in patients with rheumatic conditions other than RA and the modified PREM questionnaire will be presented. Conclusion: Preliminary data indicate that the modified PREM was practical to administer, has good construct validity and is able to reliably capture the patient experience in rheumatic conditions other than RA. Both the RA and the modified PREMs provide useful tools for measuring and monitoring patient experience in rheumatology and aim to drive improvements in patient experience of care.