Our latest blog in this series features\u00a0JointCare, a project\u00a0set out to\u00a0identify\u00a0the self-management tasks that are\u00a0deemed\u00a0most important among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and other stakeholders. This initiative was a winner in the Inclusive PPIE category at the 2025 PPIE Awards.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects approximately 1 in 1,000\u00a0children\u00a0under the age of 16 in the UK. However, many\u00a0people\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0realise that children can also\u00a0develop\u00a0inflammatory arthritis, making research into this condition\u00a0greatly important.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Managing JIA\u00a0involves a range\u00a0of self-management tasks that children and their parents or carers must perform routinely. This\u00a0may include\u00a0monitoring\u00a0symptoms, understanding medication, and dealing with side effects.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Led by\u00a0<\/span>Daniela Ghio,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0lecturer in Psychology at the University,\u00a0and Emily Earle,\u00a0public contributor,\u00a0JointCare\u00a0aimed to\u00a0identify\u00a0priorities for psychoeducational interventions by\u00a0determining\u00a0which\u00a0self-management\u00a0tasks are the most important to JIA stakeholders. These include children, young people and adults who grew up with JIA, parents and caregivers, and healthcare professionals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The project was\u00a0delivered\u00a0in three stages:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n JointCare\u2019s Outstanding Contribution to PPIE Award and CCAA Research Award Badge.<\/p><\/div>\n To ensure\u00a0accessibility\u00a0and inclusivity, the team:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recognising\u00a0the success and potential of this initiative, the NIHR awarded\u00a0JointCare\u00a0a \u00a3200,000 grant through its\u00a0Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB)\u00a0Programme<\/span><\/a>. The funding\u00a0supported the co-production of\u00a0psychoeducational resources about methotrexate, a medication used to treat JIA.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These resources aim to\u00a0enhance\u00a0children\u2019s\u00a0understanding of JIA, supporting co-management between child and caregiver\u00a0as they gradually take a more active role in their own care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additional\u00a0information:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To find out more about PPIE: watch our\u202f<\/span>short film<\/span><\/a>, sign up to the monthly\u202f<\/span>Public Engagement Digest<\/span><\/a>, visit the\u202f<\/span>PPIE blog<\/span><\/a>, or contact\u00a0<\/span>srbmh@manchester.ac.uk<\/span><\/a>.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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