Research Highlight of the Year: Making osteoarthritis peer mentoring accessible

Developing an osteoarthritis peer mentoring programme with and for people facing socioeconomic disadvantage 

How patient voices shaped a new approach for osteoarthritis care.

A team from the University of Leeds have developed a remote support programme to help people with osteoarthritis facing ‘socioeconomic disadvantage’ – barriers linked to factors such as education, income or housing. Over six remote sessions, a trained volunteer gives guided support to someone else with the same condition, a process known as ‘peer mentoring’.

The programme was created in stages based on an in-person programme. People with lived experience were central to the work. They shared views about things like digital access, confidence, and support. This helped make the programme easier to access and use.  

The programme was then trialled in a small study. The findings suggest the programme could benefit people delivering and receiving it and so help create a fairer future.

The project was led by Prof Gretl McHugh from the University of Leeds working with first author Dr Anna Anderson, the wider research team, public co-applicants, and peer mentors. It was co-funded by Arthritis UK and the Nuffield Foundation through the Oliver Bird Fund.