Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial
Abstract Introduction Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet assessing it effectively remains a challenge due to limitations in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). While these measures are commonly gathered in clinical settings, additional contact th...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05493-w |
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| author | Wyatt Tyndall Nebojsa Kuljic Michael Thatcher Michaela Nickol Johannes M. van der Merwe |
| author_facet | Wyatt Tyndall Nebojsa Kuljic Michael Thatcher Michaela Nickol Johannes M. van der Merwe |
| author_sort | Wyatt Tyndall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet assessing it effectively remains a challenge due to limitations in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). While these measures are commonly gathered in clinical settings, additional contact through mail or phone is often needed, and low response rates can affect the validity and reliability of collected data. To improve response rates, this study evaluated various methods of incentivizing patient participation in a randomized trial format, focusing on postal questionnaires. Patients and methods The study investigated three methods to improve response rates: including a gift card with the questionnaire, promising a gift card upon questionnaire completion, and offering no incentive. It also examined whether different monetary values and the inclusion of the surgeon’s name on materials impacted response rates. We tried to determine factors that could improve follow up telephone response rates in the group of patients that failed to return their questionnaires. Results Higher response rates were observed with monetary incentives (P = 0.056), larger amounts of money offered (P = 0.3839) for filling out the questionnaire, and if the surgeon’s details were on the cover letter or questionnaire (P = 0.632). There was no correlation between age and sex and participation. We did find a statistically significant difference in total participation and poorer total knee arthroplasty outcomes scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion Our study supports findings from prior research indicating that monetary incentives and personalized materials can improve response rates, although in this cohort, results were modest. Follow-up calls further boosted response rates, suggesting that multi-modal engagement may be beneficial. Although the response improvements were limited and lacked statistical significance, the study highlights the importance of refining strategies to ensure reliable PROMS data, which is vital for understanding patient outcomes in TJA. Future studies might consider demographic factors and other outreach methods to enhance PROMs data collection. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-033c370f132e4df594c03faa73db2aaf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1749-799X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-033c370f132e4df594c03faa73db2aaf2025-01-26T12:43:28ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-01-012011810.1186/s13018-025-05493-wOptimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trialWyatt Tyndall0Nebojsa Kuljic1Michael Thatcher2Michaela Nickol3Johannes M. van der Merwe4Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of SaskatchewanAbstract Introduction Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome in total joint arthroplasty (TJA), yet assessing it effectively remains a challenge due to limitations in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS). While these measures are commonly gathered in clinical settings, additional contact through mail or phone is often needed, and low response rates can affect the validity and reliability of collected data. To improve response rates, this study evaluated various methods of incentivizing patient participation in a randomized trial format, focusing on postal questionnaires. Patients and methods The study investigated three methods to improve response rates: including a gift card with the questionnaire, promising a gift card upon questionnaire completion, and offering no incentive. It also examined whether different monetary values and the inclusion of the surgeon’s name on materials impacted response rates. We tried to determine factors that could improve follow up telephone response rates in the group of patients that failed to return their questionnaires. Results Higher response rates were observed with monetary incentives (P = 0.056), larger amounts of money offered (P = 0.3839) for filling out the questionnaire, and if the surgeon’s details were on the cover letter or questionnaire (P = 0.632). There was no correlation between age and sex and participation. We did find a statistically significant difference in total participation and poorer total knee arthroplasty outcomes scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion Our study supports findings from prior research indicating that monetary incentives and personalized materials can improve response rates, although in this cohort, results were modest. Follow-up calls further boosted response rates, suggesting that multi-modal engagement may be beneficial. Although the response improvements were limited and lacked statistical significance, the study highlights the importance of refining strategies to ensure reliable PROMS data, which is vital for understanding patient outcomes in TJA. Future studies might consider demographic factors and other outreach methods to enhance PROMs data collection.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05493-wPatient reported outcome measuresJoint arthroplastyPROMSResponse ratesMailed questionnairesTelephone calls |
| spellingShingle | Wyatt Tyndall Nebojsa Kuljic Michael Thatcher Michaela Nickol Johannes M. van der Merwe Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research Patient reported outcome measures Joint arthroplasty PROMS Response rates Mailed questionnaires Telephone calls |
| title | Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial |
| title_full | Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial |
| title_short | Optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes – a randomised controlled trial |
| title_sort | optimising patient engagement for assessing total joint arthroplasty outcomes a randomised controlled trial |
| topic | Patient reported outcome measures Joint arthroplasty PROMS Response rates Mailed questionnaires Telephone calls |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05493-w |
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