BackgroundPatient involvement is increasingly recognized as important within the UK National Health Service to ensure that services delivered are relevant to users’ needs. Organizations are encouraged to work with service users to achieve excellence in care. Patient education can improve health outcomes and reduce health‐care costs. Mobile technologies could play a vital role in this.AimPatient‐centred development of innovative strategies to improve the experience of rheumatology outpatients.Case studyThe Group Rheumatology Initiative Involving Patients (GRIIP) project was set up in 2013 as a joint venture between patients, clinicians, academics and management at a London hospital. The project saw (i) the formation of an independent patient group which provided suggestions for service improvement – outcomes included clearer signs in the outpatient waiting area, extended phlebotomy opening hours and better access to podiatry; (ii) a rolling patient educational evening programme initiated in 2014 with topics chosen by patient experts – feedback has been positive and attendance continues to grow; and (iii) a mobile application (app) co‐designed with patients launched in 2015 which provides relevant information for outpatient clinic attendees and data capture for clinicians – downloads have steadily increased as users adopt this new technology.ConclusionPatients can effectively contribute to service improvement provided they are supported, respected as equals, and the organization is willing to undergo a cultural change.

The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to adapt a psychological intervention to improve adherence to medication for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The approach draws on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, including motivational interviewing . The current study aimed to (i) adapt the intervention for patients with RA, (ii) assess its effectiveness in improving adherence to medication and (iii) evaluate patients' experience of the intervention. Participants were randomly allocated to either the 'intervention group' (N  =  10), receiving up to six weekly sessions of 'Compliance Therapy', or to the 'wait-list control' group (N  =  8), who received standard care. Data was collected pre intervention (baseline), post intervention and at six weeks post intervention (follow-up). Eighteen female participants with a mean age of 48.78 years (SD 15.12) took part in the study. Comparisons across the two time points for each group found that only those in the 'intervention' group demonstrated significant improvement in mean scores on adherence measures. Between-group comparisons were not significant. The pilot study suggests that an intervention based on CBT may improve adherence in patients with RA, but further research is required.

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