Grime, JC and Ong, BN (2007) Constructing osteoarthritis through discourse: a qualitative analysis of six patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 8 (1). ISSN 1471-2474

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Abstract

Background
Health service policy in the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of self-care by patients with chronic conditions. Written information for patients about their condition is seen as an important aid to help patients look after themselves. From a discourse analysis perspective written texts such as patient information leaflets do not simply describe the reality of a medical condition and its management but by drawing on some sorts of knowledge and evidence rather than others help construct the reality of that condition. This study explored patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis (OA) to see how OA was constructed and to consider the implications for self-care.

Methods
Systematic and repeated readings of six patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis to look for similarities and differences across leaflets, contradictions within leaflets and the resources called on to make claims about the nature of OA and its management.

Results
Biomedical discourse of OA as a joint disease dominated. Only one leaflet included an illness discourse albeit limited, and was also the only one to feature patient experiences of living with OA. The leaflets had different views on the causes of OA including the role of lifestyle and ageing. Most emphasised patient responsibility for preventing the progression of OA. Advice about changing behaviour such as diet and exercise was not grounded in lived experience. There were inconsistent messages about using painkillers, exercise and the need to involve professionals when making changes to lifestyle.

Conclusion
The nature of the discourse impacted on how OA and the respective roles of patients and professionals were depicted. Limited discourse on illness meant that the complexity of living with OA and its consequences was underestimated. Written information needs to shift from joint biology to helping patients live with osteoarthritis. Written information should incorporate patient experience and value it alongside biomedical knowledge.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via BioMed Central at http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-8-34 - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Complementary Medicine, Complementary Therapy, Lifestyle Advice, Patient Information Leaflet
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC925 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Primary Care Health Sciences
Depositing User: Mr Scott McGowan
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2017 12:08
Last Modified: 16 Jul 2019 12:43
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/3083

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