1. OATech+ Network: Using Technology to work towards improving Patient Outcomes
Leanne Sawle

2. Overview
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 8.75 million people in the UK (Mobasheri & Batt 2016)
Places a considerable burden upon the economy (Woolf et al. 2012) 
Seriously impairs the quality of life of those affected (Hiligsmann et al. 2013)
Despite this current diagnostic and treatment strategies could be improved (Bhatia, 2013)

3. Improving patient outcomes
OATech + Network ( ): Optimising Treatment
Identify and address technology-based knowledge gaps in the field of osteoarthritis
Multidisciplinary approach
Improving patient outcomes

5. Network Priorities (Research Forum, 2018)
Imaging
Current technology?
What does new technology bring?
Creation of a shared OA data resource / repository
Data harmonisation / recommendations
Technology and pain

6. Role of technology in stratification
Terminology
Joint diseases?
OA?
Post traumatic?
Role of technology in OA outcomes measurement
Role of technology in facilitating concordance
Technology as intervention

7. Activity Proposals and Funding
Multidisciplinary involvement
Technology link
Outputs must contribute to the network development

8. Proposals
Creation of an OA data sets resource (combining large data sets)
Exploring stratification from a multidisciplinary perspective:
Focus meeting / Delphi study (novel, experimental technology)
Imaging data
Clinical working group risk stratification tool

9. Creating imaging standards (consensus paper and working group) Development of an OATech+ roadmap for identifying high level evidence and routes to impact translation Healthy lifestyle interventions and the role of technology. Review to understand the situation and seed funding applications for technology interventions

10. Public engagement events in biomechanics and mechanobiology Modelathon and sandpit (multi-scale modelling of OA; explore relationship between biomechanics and pain) Mentorship programme and opportunities to upskill in multidisciplinary fields

11. Other Activities
Stakeholder engagement
Events
Funding application

12. Timeline Award of this years funding of activities Joint public engagement event Refinement of activity funding plan for next year

13.
twitter.com/OATechNetwork

14. References
Bhatia, D., Bejarano, T. and Novo, M. (2013) ‘Current interventions in the management of knee osteoarthritis’, Journal of Pharmacy and BioAllied Sciences, 5(1), pp. 30–38. doi: /
Hiligsmann, M. et al. (2013) ‘Health economics in the field of osteoarthritis: an expert’s consensus paper from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO).’, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 43(3), pp. 303–313.
Mobasheri, A. and Batt, M. (2016) ‘An update on the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis.’, Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 59, pp. 333–339.
Woolf, A. D., Erwin, J. and March, L. (2012) ‘The need to address the burden of musculoskeletal conditions.’, Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 26(2), pp. 183–224.