Abstract Background/Aims The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is validated measure of functional ability across rheumatological conditions in children especially juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and forms part of the CAPTURE-JIA dataset. Although not a mandated KPI, BSPAR standards highlight routine functional assessment as core to holistic JIA care. CHAQ captures both child and parent perspectives of daily activity, offering a holistic view of disease impact. Baseline review at our tertiary centre showed inconsistent CHAQ use. This trainee-led quality improvement project aimed to embed CHAQ completion into daily practice for enhanced functional assessment and deliver sustainable change aligned with national standards. Aim: To enhance routine CHAQ completion from 5% to ≥ 70% within six months across inflammatory paediatric rheumatology clinics. Methods Following the model for improvementframework, baseline data were collected before interventions. TwoPlan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, each lasting three months, were conductedbetween April and September 2025. Cycle 1: CHAQ forms were introduced in threeinflammatory clinics, distributed at check-in, completed bypatients/caregivers, reviewed by clinicians, and scanned to the ElectronicPatient Record (EPR). A weekly completion log was maintained. Cycle 2: Afishbone analysis identified barriers across People, Environment, Methods, Materials/Equipment, and Communication. Interventions included staffeducation and engagement, appointing “CHAQ champions” (clinic administrator andspecialist nurse), integrating CHAQ form preparation into patient-file setup, MDT feedback sessions, and streamlining scanning workflows. An anonymous onlinesurvey was initiated to assess patient and parent engagement. Primary outcome: proportion of attendances with completedCHAQ scanned to EPR. Secondary outcomes: clinician-reported usefulness andpatient/parent engagement. Results CHAQ completion improved from 5% to 90%, with all forms scanned to EPR. MDT involvement through “CHAQ champions” ensured sustainability across sites. Clinicians reported improved discussions on function and shared decision-making. Families valued that CHAQ results shaped consultations. A research database now supports future MDT-led evaluations. Conclusion Embedding CHAQ into routine workflows achieved sustained improvement and strengthened patient-centred functional assessment. The process is now standard across all clinics. Next steps include integrating serial CHAQ scores into letters and developing a digital CHAQ within EPR. This trainee-led project demonstrates how structured QI can deliver measurable, sustainable improvement aligned with BSR standards. Disclosure I. Awan: None. M. Omarji: None. E. Hall: None. K. Khawaja: None.
Awan et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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