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NHS research team helping patients return to work more efficiently following surgery achieve national milestone: Research

Marc Atkinson and Andrew Shepperson

The trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) delivery team from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the first team in the UK to have recruited 100 patients to the national OPAL study.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study is designed to help patients who are having hip or knee replacement surgery return to work more efficiently.

The T&O team are part of a wider research network of physios, nurse practitioners and orthopaedic specialists at The James Cook University Hospital who are working together to identify, screen and recruit eligible patients to take part in the randomised research project.

Following surgery, patients will receive a personalised programme tailored to their individual needs, have access to specialist resources and be able to access support from dedicated return-to-work co-ordinators.

It is hoped the study will help these patients have a better understanding of their recovery process, manage their time off work more efficiently and feel more prepared to return to work.

Overcoming challenges

Orthopaedic research nurse, Andrew Shepperson is part of the trauma and orthopaedic delivery team leading the study.

He said: “Patients who are scheduled to undergo hip or knee replacement surgeries often face challenges in their recovery and may experience difficulties returning to work due to pain, mobility issues or lack of support during the transitional period.

“Research also shows that prolonged absences from work can have negative impacts, not only on a patient’s economic status and social wellbeing, but also on their mental health and sense of purpose.

The OPAL study is designed to address these challenges and provides resources specifically aimed to help patients return to their jobs quicker and more safely following surgery.”

South Tees Hospitals is one of 20 sites delivering the study throughout the UK, following a recognised need to improve the return-to-work processes for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery.

The research team have implemented streamlined processes for screening and enrolling, established trusting relationships and encouraged open and honest conversations with their patients. They are delighted to have just recruited their 100th patient.

Marc Atkinson, research nurse at South Tees Hospitals is the principal investigator for the study.

He said: “Everyone in the trauma and orthopaedic delivery team is over the moon to be the first team in the UK to reach this milestone.

“It hasn’t been easy but through hard work, sweat and tears and fantastic support from our multidisciplinary team and return-to-work coordinator, we are delighted to have been able to support the national target.

Ultimately, knowing that our patients now and in the future will benefit from this gives us a sense of achievement and pride.”