School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Research (SOAR) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP)

The Shoulder Osteoarthritis Research Priority Setting Partnership (SOAR PSP) aims to identify and prioritise key research questions about shoulder osteoarthritis from the perspectives of patients, carers, and clinicians. Guided by the James Lind Alliance, these groups will collaboratively identify and rank the ‘Top 10’ priorities for future shoulder osteoarthritis research.

Shoulder osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling condition, with an increasing burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. For example, in Australia, shoulder joint replacement surgeries for OA have more than doubled between 2009 and 2019. Despite this, little shoulder osteoarthritis research exists limiting the evidence available to guide best care. To address this gap, there is a pressing need to identify and prioritise key areas for future research as informed by the people living with shoulder OA, their carers, and clinicians.

The Shoulder Osteoarthritis Research (SOAR) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) is an Australia-New Zealand wide initiative. This partnership will apply the James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology to systematically identify key, unanswered questions about shoulder OA and rank research priorities. The study involves an initial survey to identify the community’s questions, followed by a structured prioritisation process, ending in a final workshop where community members will agree on the ‘Top 10’ research priorities. We will then share these priorities with funding bodies, policymakers, and researchers to ensure future research actively reflects the needs of those affected by shoulder OA.

Project Lead Dr. Jonathan Quicke – Academic Physiotherapist, University of Queensland – Investigators Prof. Nadine Foster – Academic Physiotherapist, University of Queensland Prof. David Hunter – Rheumatology Clinician and Researcher, University of Sydney Prof. Ilana Ackerman – Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, Monash University Prof. Richard Page – Shoulder Specialist Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Deakin University Prof. Rachelle Buchbinder – Academic Rheumatologist, Monash University Dr. Hugh Seward – Senior Medical Adviser, WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission Dr. Ben Darlow – Academic Physiotherapist, University of Otago, New Zealand Prof. Kim Bennell – Academic Physiotherapist, University of Melbourne Brooke Conley – Academic Physiotherapist, University of Melbourne Dr. Sam Bunzli – Academic Physiotherapist, Griffith University Jessica Neri – Health Promotion Manager, Arthritis Queensland Dr. Lisa Anemaat – Consumer Involvement Research Fellow, University of Queensland Dr. Julie Ayre – Behavioural Scientist, University of Sydney Kore Tombs – Māori Health and Cultural Expert Consumer Investigators Dr Chris Beanland Dianne Buranyi-Trevarton Shirani Wright, Arthritis Australia Susan (Sue) Williamson Aunty Maureen Woodward Project Coordinator and Consumer Project Officer Ritwika Vinayagam – Senior Research Coordinator, University of Queensland – James Lind Alliance Adviser and Chair of the Steering Group Dr. Jonathan Gower – James Lind Alliance Adviser Information Specialist Nicole Raynor – Health Librarian, University of Queensland
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Universities and organisations

  • Arthritis Australia
  • ANZMUSC (Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network)
  • The Arthritis Movement
  • The University of Queensland
  • James Lind Alliance

Community and consumer involved organisations

  • The Arthritis Movement
  • Arthritis Australia
  • Australia New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network
  • Arthritis Australia
  • National Health Medical and Research Council

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