Summary of the interview protocols for new patients, experienced patients, and researchers.
| Researchers | Experienced Patient Delegates | New Patient Delegates* |
|---|---|---|
| How important is patient participation in OMERACT for you? | What do you remember about your first OMERACT conference? | Can you briefly describe how your rheumatic condition has influenced your personal life? |
| Can you describe how you see the role of a patient participant at OMERACT? | What makes OMERACT worthwhile to attend for a 2nd/3rd/4th time? | How were you invited for this conference? |
| For which research phases do you think patient participation is most appropriate? | Which topic did you find most relevant to contribute to and which the least? | How do you see your role at this conference? |
| What type of research do you think benefits most from patient participation? | How do you see your role at this conference? | Do you have any idea how patients could be of help in studying “remission”? |
| What do you see as the greatest achievement of patient participation in OMERACT? | How could patients be of any help in studying “remission” and “flares”? | Do you have any idea how patients could contribute to the research on “flares”? |
| What barriers have you experienced related to incorporating the patient perspective in OMERACT initiatives? | What do you see as the greatest achievement of patient participation in OMERACT? | Do you anticipate any barriers to your participation? |
| Do you have suggestions how OMERACT could support researchers to optimize patient participation? | What has been supportive for you to participate in OMERACT? | How could OMERACT support you to overcome barriers or to make you feel more confident? |
| What barriers have you experienced to contributing fully? | Can you tell me, what are the most important things you hope to achieve by your participation at this OMERACT meeting? | |
| Do you have suggestions to optimize the input of patients in OMERACT? |
↵* For new patient delegates we composed 3 versions: 1 protocol for the interview before the conference, 1 for halfway, and 1 for after the conference.