Comparing effects of knee osteoarthritis educational information, with and without pathoanatomical content, on consumer osteoarthritis management beliefs: An online randomised controlled trial.

INTERVENTION: Participants in the Experimental group will be asked to read an approx. 1‐page digital information pamphlet about osteoarthritis that was created by the research team based on the content that is currently provided on international osteoarthritis consumer organisation websites. The content will be a similar to that contained in the Control group, but all pathoanatomical information and terminology will be removed. To develop this information sheet, the researchers reviewed the Control group information pamphlet and deleted any words and/or sentences that related to joint anatomy or pathology, including words that described the joint structure, and words related to pathology like ‘damage’ and ‘wear and tear’. A diagram that depicted an image of a healthy joint compared to a joint affected by osteoarthritis was also removed. No new words, sentences or images were added to replace those that were removed. Participants in both groups will be asked to tick a box to confirm that they had read the information sheet and estimate how long they had spent reading it. The survey software (Qualtrics) will also measure how long each respondent spends on the page that has the information sheet. CONDITION: osteoarthritis; ; osteoarthritis Musculoskeletal ‐ Osteoarthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think an x‐ray is necessary to confirm the diagnosis?; ; 11‐point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ranging from 0=definitely unnecessary to 10=definitely necessary[Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think joint replacement surgery (to replace the affected joint with an artificial joint) is necessary for your knee at some stage?; ; 11‐point NRS ranging from 0=definitely unnecessary to 10=definitely necessary [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] SECONDARY OUTCOME: If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think medication is helpful to manage your knee symptoms? ; ; 11‐point NRS ranging from 0=definitely not helpful to 10=definitely helpful [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think exercise and physical activity would damage your knee? ; ; 11‐point NRS ranging from 0=definitely would not damage it to 10=definitely would damage it [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think an x‐ray is necessary to determine the best treatment for your knee? ; ; 11‐point NRS ranging from 0=definitely unnecessary to 10=definitely necessary [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] If you were told by your doctor that you had knee osteoarthritis, would you think exercise and physical activity is helpful to manage it? ; ; 11‐point NRS ranging from 0=definitely not helpful to 10=definitely helpful [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] If you were told by your doctor that you have knee osteoarthritis, how concerned would you be that your knee problem would get worse in the future? ; ; 4‐point Likert scale with response options: ; Not at all concerned ; A little concerned ; Quite concerned ; Very concerned INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will be eligible for the study if they meet the following INCLUSION CRITERIA: i) Aged 45 years or over ii) Currently living in Australia ; [Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)] Knee Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale (KOAKS)[Immediately before and after the intervention (as part of the same online survey)]