Grant: Catalyst Grant: Digital Health

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada, and people living in rural areas are particularly affected. They often wait longer to see specialists, receive pain treatment, and prepare for surgery. These delays can worsen pain and increase stress, especially before major procedures such as hip or knee replacements. At the same time, hospitals are shortening recovery stays, meaning many patients and their caregivers must manage pain and recovery at home with limited guidance, an added challenge for those living far from healthcare services. To help address this gap, our team developed En-Quête-Santé, a digital educational game designed to support patients in understanding pain self-management, reducing anxiety, and feeling more confident during their surgical journey. The game was co-developed with healthcare professionals and patient partners to ensure it is both engaging and relevant to real patient needs. It uses an interactive "escape room" style format where players learn practical pain management strategies while solving challenges. This project will test a self-supported version of the game adapted for rural communities, where access to health education and follow-up care can be limited. We will recruit people living in rural areas who are preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery, along with their caregivers. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care or access to the En-Quête-Santé game. Through questionnaires, game usage data, and interviews, we will examine whether the game is easy to use, helpful for improving pain knowledge and confidence, and acceptable for patients and caregivers. The results will help determine whether this type of digital tool could be scaled up to support surgical preparation and recovery for patients living in rural communities across Canada.