Evaluation of a community rehabilitation service for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a community rehabilitation service for people with rheumatoid arthritis, provided by the Community Rehabilitation Network (CRN) in Hong Kong. The three-phase community rehabilitation service consists of a number of standardized program elements, including orientation meeting, self-help course, stress management program, water exercises class, as well as informal social and recreational activities. Using a pre-, post-test non-equivalent groups design, the outcomes of 29 clients of the treatment group were compared with 16 clients of the comparison group at baseline and at the end of 9 months, using an 86-item self-completed questionnaire. The treatment group achieved significant more increases in self-efficacy of managing the illness, more increases in self-management behaviors, but no significant increases in the overall health status or health care utilization patterns, when compared with the comparison group.
Siu
Andrew M H
AM
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. rsandsiu@polyu.edu.hk
Chui
Dominic Y Y
DY
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires