Hospital researcher awarded £30k for arthritis project (From Stourbridge News)

Hospital researcher awarded £30k for arthritis project

8:30am Monday 7th January 2013 in News

A DUDLEY-based researcher has been awarded £30k from Arthritis Research UK to undertake a research project aimed at children.

Elizabeth Hale, a health psychologist for The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust will be producing information for youngsters whose parents are living with the painful condition.

Ms Hale, who is based at Russells Hall Hospital, will be collaborating with the University of Leicester to build on earlier research which suggests that adults with inflammatory arthritis find it difficult to speak to their children about their condition.

As part of the two-year research project a number of interviews will be carried out with families, to find out how parents and children discuss arthritis.

It is hoped a range of educational resources specifically aimed for children aged seven to 11 years-old can then be put together.

Ms Hale said: “Being diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis is an unsettling prospect for any patient, but the impact it can also have on their children should not be underestimated.

"Children are likely to be anxious about their parents’ welfare and this worry could easily have a negative impact on their lives, affecting schoolwork or causing behavioural changes.”