'The unexpected journey': a qualitative interview study exploring patient and health professionals experiences of participating in the knee arthroplasty versus joint distraction study (KARDS).

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of the knee arthroplasty versus joint distraction (KARDS) randomised trial was to investigate whether knee joint distraction (KJD) is non-inferior to knee arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement (KR). Here we report the findings from qualitative interviews that were part of the planned KARDS process evaluation.

Design and methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff and participants in secondary care. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

We were unable to complete the full-planned KARDS process evaluation as recruitment to the trial was closed early but key common themes emerged.Eleven members of staff were interviewed from two KARDS sites (eight initial interviews just after site opening and three follow-up

SUBMITTER: Arnold S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11253130 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature