The Arthroplasty for Arthritis Charity is delighted to support the James Lind Alliance Steering Group in its Prehabilitation for Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery Priority Setting Partnership (PSP). This initiative aims to address a historically poorly supported area of research—the preoperative phase of patient care.
About the James Lind Alliance (JLA)
Established in 2004, the James Lind Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings together patients, carers, and clinicians to identify and prioritize studies in health research. This collaborative approach ensures that future research aligns with the real needs of those directly affected.
Why Focus on Prehabilitation?
Long waiting times for hip and knee replacement surgery can severely impact a patient's quality of life. With an aging population and increased demand for these procedures, the pressure on orthopaedic services has reached unprecedented levels. The situation has been further exacerbated by the backlog caused by the pandemic.
The objective of this PSP is to address these challenges by identifying uncertainties around prehabilitation—a structured programme designed to optimize patients' physical and emotional well-being while they wait for surgery. Prehabilitation encompasses:
- Education and psychological support
- Physical therapy and weight management
- Nutritional guidance and supplementation
- Pain management and control of comorbidities
Our aim is to influence future health and care services in the UK by identifying key research areas that can improve patient outcomes during the preoperative phase.
Meet the Team
The PSP is chaired by Mr. Jonathan Gower, the James Lind Alliance Senior Adviser, who leads the Steering Group overseeing the project's direction. Dr. Joanna Shim, Chancellor’s Fellow at Robert Gordon University, serves as the Information Specialist for the PSP and is supported by the wider study team. The PSP was initiated through a competitive Catalyst Grant awarded by Robert Gordon University.
The Arthroplasty for Arthritis Charity is represented on the Steering Group by its Director, Evert Smith, alongside expert clinicians including Prof. Mez Acharya, Jeremy Latham, and Andrew Porteous, as well as dedicated patient and carer representatives and a project coordinator.
How the Priority Setting Partnership Works
The Steering Group is responsible for identifying research priorities through a structured consensus-building process. Once a prioritised list of research questions is developed, the results are publicised and submitted to research commissioning bodies, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), for funding consideration.
The PSP ensures that those who fund health research are aware of what truly matters to patients, carers, and clinicians.
Join Us in Making a Difference
By supporting the Arthroplasty for Arthritis Charity and the James Lind Alliance, you can help shape the future of preoperative care for hip and knee replacements in the UK. Together, we can ensure that research addresses the real concerns of those awaiting surgery and ultimately improves patient care and outcomes.