Who does not access care? An exploratory multisite investigation into people experiencing deprivation with musculoskeletal problems. The ‘Way-in to MSK’ study.

PI Title: Anthony Gilbert

Lead member: UCL

"There are many people around the world who have problems with their bones and muscles. These problems are called musculoskeletal disorders. They can cause a lot of pain, make it hard to move, and make life not as enjoyable. Musculoskeletal disorders are also the main reason why some people can't go to work and do their jobs. They can also make it difficult for people to do everyday activities and be productive.

Some people who have these problems live in places where they don't have access to the right kind of care. This is called deprivation. It means they don't have all the things they need to be healthy and well. One of the things they need is proper healthcare for their bones and muscles. But it can be hard for them to get the help they need because they live in areas where there aren't enough doctors or treatments available. It can also be difficult when they cannot afford to take time off work.

In this research, we want to understand why some people have a hard time getting the right care for their musculoskeletal problems. We will talk to patients and healthcare workers. We will also talk to people who have these problems but haven't gone for help yet to understand why they don’t get the care they need.

To understand all the things that affect people's access to care, we will do a special research project in different places. In the first phase, we will talk to patients and healthcare workers in Enfield and Stoke-on-Trent. We will ask them questions about their experiences with healthcare. We will also talk to people who live in areas where they don't have easy access to care and find out why they haven't gone to the get help yet.

In the second phase, we will bring together people from the local areas. We will share what we learned from the interviews and ask them to help us find ways to improve healthcare for people with musculoskeletal problems.

All the conversations we have will be recorded so we can listen to them again later. We will study them carefully to understand what factors affect people's access to care. By doing all these interviews and involving different people, we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of people with musculoskeletal conditions.

At the end of the research, we will use what we learned to create a plan that can help people get better care for their musculoskeletal problems. We will work together with everyone involved to make sure the plan is the best it can be. This plan will also guide future research and help improve healthcare services."

Amount awarded: £247,053