I have been involved with this exciting new information resource www.reallifetested.co.uk for patients with hip and knee arthritis. The Press Release is below.

DePuy Synthes Launches ‘Real Life Tested’ to Provide Tools to Make Informed Choices on Joint Replacement Surgery

A new survey among GPs and orthopaedic surgeons in the UK reveals an unmet need in information on joint replacement surgery

 Only one third of GPs believe there is a sufficient amount of credible information available to
patients about joint replacement surgery1
 60% of GPs agree they also need more guidance on how to identify the appropriate
osteoarthritis patients for specialist referral1

MONDAY 19 AUGUST 2013, LEEDS, UK

DePuy Synthes today launches ‘Real Life Tested’, a collaborative education and awareness initiative providing patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) with tools and information to make informed choices on hip or knee replacement surgery.  The need for this resource is supported by a new national survey of general practitioners (GPs) and orthopaedic surgeons that reveals a current information gap on joint replacement surgery for patients with osteoarthritis and GPs.

“We developed Real Life Tested as part of our commitment to patients as it aims to support and educate those who are considering their osteoarthritis treatment options,” said Laban Cook, Marketing Director, DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, UK & Ireland. “Our hope is that the information will empower patients to ask their healthcare professionals the right questions when
discussing this treatment.”

The survey, commissioned by DePuy Synthes Companies, shows that more than half (60%) of GPs agree they would benefit from additional guidance on how to identify the appropriate osteoarthritis
patients for specialist referral. Further, only one third (39%) of GPs feel there is a sufficient amount of credible information available to patients about joint replacement therapy, whilst half (48%) lack
the time to fully educate their patients on the benefits and risks of surgery.1  This is important, as reported by surgeons (N=50), the leading patient concerns are fear of surgical procedure (66%), ability to cope post-operation and recovery period (56%), and waiting time for surgery (48%).

“All patients are different, and require different treatment options depending on the severity and extent of their osteoarthritis,” said Ms Jo Cumming, Head of Information and Helplines at Arthritis
Care, the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis. “This survey shows there is a clear need for us to work together to provide additional educational support to patients and their healthcare professionals to ensure the right choice is made for the patient at the right time.”

The UK-wide survey was conducted on behalf of DePuy Synthes Companies by Censuswide, an independent research company, and polled 150 practising HCPs including GPs (N=100) and orthopaedic surgeons (N=50) via an online questionnaire. It was developed in consultation with leading orthopaedic experts and patient advocates and aimed to identify education needs and ways in which communications between healthcare professionals and their patients can be optimised when talking about treatment options for osteoarthritis.

About Real Life Tested
Real Life Tested is a collaborative education and awareness initiative providing HCPs and patients with tools and information to make informed choices regarding hip or knee replacement surgery.
The aim is to provide information and educational resources along the entire patient pathway, from the onset of symptoms right through to the post-operative phase and beyond. The campaign will be
rolled out across multiple media channels, and include printed materials for orthopaedic surgeons and GPs to be used with their patients to reinforce and supplement the advice they give. It also
features an online resource containing educational materials for patients and a number of real life patient case studies. These materials will help the patient to understand more about their condition
and their surgical treatment options. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.reallifetested.co.uk.

About Arthritis Care
Real Life Tested was created by DePuy Synthes in collaboration with Arthritis Care to provide information for patients and healthcare professionals that support osteoarthritis treatment plans.

Date of preparation: August 2013

For free and confidential information and one to one support for people with arthritis, please contact the Arthritis Care Helpline on 0808 800 4050, email Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk or visit
the website www.arthritiscare.org.uk.

About DePuy Synthes
DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson is the largest, most comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological business in the world, built upon the strong legacies of two great companies.
DePuy Synthes Companies offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of technology, devices, services and programs in the areas of joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, neurological,
cranio-maxillofacial, power tools and biomaterials. Our broad array of inspired, innovative and hig hquality offerings help advance the health and wellbeing of people around the world.
References
1 DePuy Synthes. Data on File. May 2013