Effect of diagnostic imaging information on patient understanding, beliefs and treatment intentions in Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) syndrome: An online randomised trial

All participants will be asked to read a brief, hypothetical scenario describing a person experiencing ongoing moderate hip pain that limits usual activities. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. Control group: Participants will receive standard diagnostic imaging X-ray and MRI reports describing structural findings consistent with morphology associated with FAI syndrome. 2. Intervention group: Participants will receive the same standard imaging reports, plus an additional imaging infographic designed to explain the imaging findings in lay language. This infographic provides context about what the structural changes mean, emphasising that these findings are common, not necessarily the sole cause of symptoms, and that physiotherapy is recommended as first-line treatment. The intervention materials were developed based on current clinical guidelines for FAI syndrome, and consumer feedback (physiotherapists and people with lived experience of FAI syndrome) on information preferences, and the infographic was adapted based on feedback from consumers. This intervention will be embedded within the single secure online Research Data Capture (REDCap) link. The hypothetical scenario and assigned materials will take approximately 10-20 minutes to review. Participants will be asked to check a box confirming they have reviewed required materials before progressing to the outcome survey. As this is an anonymous online survey, adherence to the intervention (i.e., review of materials in full) cannot be monitored or verified. However, the decision was made to provide no monetary incentive for participation to mitigate the risk of non-engaged or repeat submissions. The nine-item outcome survey will take no more than 20 minutes to complete, with nine questions related to their understanding of the imaging findings, information-seeking intentions, treatment beliefs and intentions (surgery and physiotherapy), concern about symptom progression, and confidence in managing their hip pain conservatively. The primary difference between groups lies in the provision of the additional explanatory infographic, aimed at improving patient understanding, reducing worry and supporting engagement with first-line conservative management.