Factors That Patients Consider in Their Choice of Non-Surgical Management for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: Formative Qualitative Research for a Discrete Choice Experiment

Background Approximately half of patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis have tried non-surgical management before surgical consultation. Understanding the many factors affecting the uptake of recommended strategies is important to inform future development of such management strategies. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore and identify factors that patients with osteoarthritis consider when choosing non-surgical management for hip and knee osteoarthritis, as formative research for a study of patient preferences for non-surgical management programs for osteoarthritis. Methods A qualitative research design was used. Participants were recruited using a combination of stratified and convenience sampling. Interviews were conducted, using a semi-structured interview guide, with English-speaking patients who had self-reported hip and/or knee osteoarthritis and at least one joint that had not undergone replacement surgery. Data were thematically analyzed. Results Thirteen patients participated in these interviews. Sixteen factors that participants considered when choosing non-surgical osteoarthritis management were identified. Eleven were extrinsic, relating to features of programs and services, and are categorized as types of interventions, general program and service details, and program-specific details. Five were intrinsic to the individual and influenced how decisions for osteoarthritis management were approached and the options available to choose from. Three novel factors included participants’ desire for further management, their views about joint replacement surgery, and whether they felt personal choice was available in osteoarthritis management strategies. Conclusion Key factors were identified that patients considered when making decisions about non-surgical management for their osteoarthritis that will be used to inform a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that aims to measure preferences for these factors.