title: Effects of a self-care promoting problem-based learning programme in people with rheumatic diseases: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a self-care promoting problem-based learning programme for people with rheumatic diseases in terms of health-related quality of life, empowerment, and self-care ability.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis express a great need for education and support in adapting to the disease, but the average qualities of studies about patient education interventions are not high. There is no evidence of long-term benefits of patient education.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled design was selected with test at baseline, 1-week and 6-month post-interventions after completed the 1-year programme. The tests consisted of validity and reliability tested instruments. The participants were randomly assigned in spring 2009 to either the experimental group (n = 54) or the control group (n = 148). The programme was running alongside the standard care the participants received at a rheumatology unit. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants in the experimental group had statistically significant stronger empowerment after participation in the self-care promoting problem-based learning programme compared with the control group, at the 6-month post-intervention. Approximately, two-thirds of the participants in the experimental group stated that they had implemented lifestyle changes due to the programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-care promoting problem-based learning programme enabled people with rheumatic diseases to improve their empowerment compared with the control group. It is important to continue to develop problem-based learning in patient education to find the very best way to use this pedagogical method in rheumatology care.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Centre, Spenshult Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Oskarström, Sweden. susann.arvidsson@spenshult.se
authors.forename: Susann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arvidsson
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Barbro
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arvidsson
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tingström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011209:Power, Psychological; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011788:Quality of Life; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000451:nursing*; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013548:Sweden