Rheumatoid arthritis patients' education - contents and methods.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to describe the contents and methods used by rheumatology nurses when they educate their patients with rheumatoid arthritis.


BACKGROUND
Rheumatology nurses have an important role in educating patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the content provided and the methods used by rheumatology nurses.


METHODS
The sample was drawn in using stratified random sampling and the data were collected from 80 rheumatology nurses with a questionnaire in 2003-2004 (response rate was 65.2%). The data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical tests.


RESULTS
Medical treatment was the most commonly taught issue, as 76% of rheumatology nurses gave information on anti-rheumatic drugs prescribed to the rheumatoid arthritis patients and blood tests (64%) which must be taken as follow-up controls. Only 45% of the nurses discussed self care at home. Individual oral patient education (88%) and written materials by the local hospitals or drug industries (71%), were the most commonly used methods. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were educated mostly in special health care units. A rheumatology nursing course did not have an effect on the chosen contents or methods when educating rheumatoid arthritis patients.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important that rheumatology nurses teach more self-care abilities to patients with rheumatoid arthritis and use also the other teaching methods than oral individual method such as group sessions, teleinformatics and internet. The contents of rheumatology nursing course should be developed further to stress the importance of appropriate teaching methods and to point out the importance of self care abilities for patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provided useful insight into education of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nurses should avoid the routine teaching programmes. They should take time to discuss with their patients and plan together the contents and methods, that education of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is based on patients' information needs and their individual learning capabilities.
Mäkeläinen
Paula
P
Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Finland. paula.makelainen@phnet.fi
Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Katri
K
Pietilä
Anna-Maija
AM
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires