Research priorities for shoulder surgery: results of the 2015 James Lind Alliance patient and clinician priority setting partnership

OBJECTIVE: To run a UK based James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for 'Surgery for Common Shoulder Problems'. SETTING: This was a nationally funded and conducted process. It was organised from a musculoskeletal research centre and Biomedical Research Unit in Oxford. PARTICIPANTS: UK shoulder patients, carers and clinicians, involved in treating patients with shoulder pain and shoulder problems that might require surgery. INTERVENTIONS: These were national electronic and paper surveys capturing treatment uncertainties that are important to shoulder patients, carers and clinicians. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes relevant to this study were the survey results and rankings. RESULTS: The process took 18 months to complete, with 371 participants contributing 404 in scope questions. The James Lind process then produced a final 10 research priorities and uncertainties that relate to the scope of 'Surgery for Common Shoulder Problems'. CONCLUSIONS: The final top 10 UK research priorities have been produced and are now being disseminated to partner organisations and funders to guide funding of shoulder research for the next 5-10 years on topics that are important to patients, their carers and clinicians.