A PROBLEM-BASED EDUCATION-PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - EVALUATION AFTER 3 AND 12 MONTHS

Objective. To develop and evaluate the effect of a new arthritis educa tion program based on a previous study. Methods. One hundred individua ls with established rheumatoid arthritis randomized to an intervention group or a control group completed self-report questionnaires. Result s. Three months after the education program the patients in the interv ention group had increased their knowledge about their disease, They r eported increased practice of exercise and joint protection and reduct ion of disability and pain. After 12 months, increased knowledge and p ractice of joint protection was maintained. However, there was no long er any difference between the intervention group and the control group regarding reported pain, disability, and practice of exercise. At bot h intervals the individuals in the intervention group reported an incr eased ability to handle their pain and a reduction of problems with th eir disease. The control group remained stable except for a slight inc rease in pain. Conclusion. A structured patient education program herd positive impact for 3 months, and some improvements were maintained f or 12 months. We suggest that patient education should become an integ rated part of the total management of rheumatoid arthritis.