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Table 1 Selection of representative interview quotes

From: Development of three-dimensional prints of arthritic joints for supporting patients’ awareness to structural damage

Healthy group

Group and theme

Quote number

Participant

Quote

Theme 1: How does it make you feel to see this?

 

1

005

“Seeing the degeneration is frightening.”

 

2

006

“It shocks. I’d do anything to prevent it from worsening.”

 

3

005

“It would not scare me off, it would rather wake me up.”

 

4

009

“It’s terrible. It clearly shows that the process is irreversible.”

 

5

005

“Wow, that’s shocking- in some areas there is nothing left of the bone.”

Theme 2: What do you think about the demonstration of the healthy and the erosive joint?

 

6

005

“To see it from the inside […] to realize what it looks like under my skin- it’s on the one hand macabre, but […] it would affect me more and therefore I would not forget my medication. Because I have now seen what could happen to my joints if I don’t do anything about it.”

 

7

006

“You know, sometimes it’s difficult for us as ordinary people to understand what the doctor is trying to tell you. But with this model-it’s the same thing with a car crash: when I see where the damage is, I can come up with something to fix it. I know what to do, how to repair it. Having seen this damage (because of RA and PsA) and the doctor telling me what to do about it- it’s just obvious and not anonymous anymore.”

 

8

013

“The diagnosis scares anyway, so I guess it’s better to know what you’re dealing with and what might happen. Being left in the dark is even scarier. And since you can’t change anything about it anymore, you have to cope with it, if you want to stop it from proceeding. So yes, I would prefer being informed with such a 3D model.”

 

9

012

“[…] 3 models is a reasonable option, because it shows, that one hasn’t reached the final stage yet, and that one can still do something about it.”

Theme 3: What would be the difference between a computer animation or a 3D model?

 

10

006

“It’s (the 3D model) more real, not as abstract.”

 

11

012

“I think that some people don’t take their medication, because they don’t understand it, they don’t have a relation to it and I am sure, that this 3D model could somehow reach patients easier than the more distanced computer animation.”

 

12

011

“I believe that especially older patients, who don’t deal with computers that often, might prefer the 3D model.”

Patient group

Group and theme

Quotation number

Patient number

Quote

Theme 1: What did the diagnosis mean for you?

 

1

2.0

“It was a shock. Embarrassing, that everybody could see the dandruff. I didn’t wear black any longer.”

 

2

1.1.4

“I try to put my better hand above the distorted fingers on pictures so that not everybody will see it immediately.”

 

3

2.5

“You’re going to laugh, but I was relieved that I finally knew what was going on and a spade was a spade. I was moving like an old man and was simply glad to have found somebody who told me what was happening to me.”

Theme 2: “What do you feel like, being confronted with the 3D print model?”

 

4

2.1

“There is always this fear. If I take a look at the degenerated one, I just think-great, if I don’t watch out, mine will look exactly as degenerated.”

 

5

2.2

“I’ve got to be serious. I didn’t think it was that bad.”

 

6

2.6

“I’m just glad that my joints haven’t degenerated as far.”

 

7

3.3

“I think it might be especially helpful for patients who have just been diagnosed or who would not deal with it reasonably.”

 

8

2.0

“The 3D model is simply very close. I appreciate that. Seeing this affects, because I know that it could be me and that it might get worse one day.”

Theme 3: “Would you prefer a series of 3 models, instead of 2, so that the process could be demonstrated in a more precise way?”

 

9

2.5

“I think this would be great, especially for rather sensitive people, who can be sloppy as well and who could benefit from the demonstration.”

 

10

1.1.1

“That would be great, because it could wake up, but wouldn’t shock too much all the same.”

Theme 4: “What would be the difference between a computer animation and the 3D print model?

 

11

2.4

“It is always better to hold something than to see it on pictures only. Especially for older people who don’t deal with computers that often.”

 

12

2.5

“A 3D model is closer […] and the impression lasts longer. We live in a society that deals a lot with computers and I think we have learnt how to turn out things we don’t want to look at. The print is more impressive, more gripping.”

 

13

2.9

“Reality is always better.”

 

14

1.4

“It’s just a different feeling, I can hold it and feel it.”

Theme 5: “Would you prefer being confronted with an example joint or your own joint as a 3D print model?”

 

15

2.3

“Seeing my own would motivate me even more. Because I have just seen my very own joint and that is worse than seeing someone else’s.”

Theme 6: “Could this demonstration increase patients’ adherence?”

 

16

1.1.6

“I definitely think that [it would be adherence supportive], yes. If I wouldn’t already take my medicine, I would by now.”

 

17

1.1.2

“Well, I think if you’d show this to someone, who doesn’t know much about medicine, you could […] make him understand and take the medication to avoid the degeneration.”

 

18

2.6

“Especially if the patient thinks, that the pills are only against the pain and if he doesn’t realize what else is going to happen […], that there is a real, degenerative change in his body and the process is irreversible.”