Impact of a Consumer e-Learning Course on Beliefs, Treatment Choices, and Outcomes Among People With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract

Background: First-line management for hip and knee osteoarthritis includes lifestyle treatments, such as exercise and weight loss (if appropriate), whereas joint replacement surgery is recommended only for severe symptoms after these options have been exhausted. However, many people with osteoarthritis hold misconceptions about the condition, leading to lower acceptance of nonsurgical treatments, such as exercise, and the mistaken belief that surgery is their only option. Novel patient education approaches that address these misconceptions are recommended to improve uptake of lifestyle treatments, reduce unnecessary surgery, and improve outcomes for people with osteoarthritis. We developed a..