Future Osteoarthritis Treatment (FOOTSTEP) - Free Open Online Course for All

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders, affecting between 7% and 65% of populations globally, depending on calculation methods (1). As a chronic condition, OA cannot be cured; thus, treatment focuses on pain management, functional improvement, and self-management strategies. Current guidelines advocate for basic treatment that includes patient education, physical activity, and, when necessary, weight loss (2). The treatment is often given as patient education. Despite that patient education for OA is offered in many countries round the world, it is not clarified if this fundamental treatments is utilized to all patients in need of adequate OA education ref.

Despite national guidelines updated in 2021 recommending that all individuals with OA be offered basic treatment (3), research has shown that participation rates in OA education programs are low (4). For instance, a study from Sweden found that only 40% of patients diagnosed with OA and awaiting surgery had engaged in OA education (5, 6). This raises critical questions about how many patients in primary care are offered such education and the reasons as to why some patients decline to participate.

Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the existing OA education is tailored to meet the diverse needs and preferences of individuals living with OA. Key aspects such as content relevancy and the format of education, whether digital or in-person, have not been adequately addressed. The current educational approach may not align with modern person-centered care principles (7), which prioritizes care that is responsive to individual patient circumstances and preferences.

This lack of alignment suggests a significant gap in the current OA education framework. With OA increasingly affecting younger individuals (8), there is an urgent need to explore contemporary preferences for treatment formats. Although society has become more digitalized, OA education has not evolved accordingly; it still resembles the models developed over 30 years ago. Övergång till nästa stycke, dvs self-management? Changing OA education towards a design that empowers the patient using a participatory discourse has been called upon REferens Self-management is a crucial component of effective OA care, enabling individuals to take an active role in managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life (2). However, for self-management strategies to be effective, they must be grounded in education that is relevant, accessible, and tailored to individual needs (9). When OA care shifts to emphasize person-centered approaches, it is essential to adapt educational formats and content to better meet the needs of individuals with osteoarthritis.

Hence, this study aims to address these gaps by conducting a qualitative study to explore the needs and preferences of individuals with OA regarding support for self-management. By identifying how best to deliver education that resonates with patients' realities, we can enhance their quality of life and ensure that treatment aligns with contemporary expectations for healthcare.