Research agenda setting with children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Lessons learned

• DOI: 10.1111/cch.12904
• Publication Date: 2021-08-04T22:46:16Z
• Authors: Karijn Aussems; Casper G. Schoemaker; Anouk Verwoerd; Wineke Ambrust; Katherine Cowan; Christine Dedding
• Keywords: patient involvement; Adolescent; Health Personnel; 4. Education; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; research agenda setting; Focus Groups; Arthritis, Juvenile; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Caregivers; juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); Developmental and Educational Psychology; Humans; child participation; Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health; James Lind Alliance; Child; Research Articles; Qualitative Research

AbstractAimThe aim of this qualitative study is to understand the research priorities of Dutch children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) as well as researching how children can be involved.BackgroundSeveral health research agendas have successfully been developed with adults but rarely with children. Children are still seldom recognized as possessing credible knowledge about their own body and life. This research project with focus group discussions and interviews with children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was an innovative addition to a nationwide prioritization of research questions of patients with JIA, their carers and health care professionals, based on the James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology.ResultsChildren with JIA appreciated being invited to give their opinion on JIA research prioritization as knowledgeable actors. They have clear views on what topics need most attention. They want more insight on how to medically and socially treat JIA so that they can better fulfil their aspirations at school, later in work and with their relationships.ConclusionWe have identified the Top 5 research priorities for children with JIA. Most priorities are unique and differ from the priorities of the adolescents and young adults, parents and healthcare professionals in the main JLA priority setting exercise. Ultimately, two of the children's priorities were included in the final JLA Top 10.