title: The nurse's role in addressing unmet treatment and management needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Delphi-based recommendations.
abstract: Evaluate nurse's role in management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  
  Modified Delphi with two rounds of questionnaires, followed by in-person meeting. International group of 12 nurses experienced with RA patients receiving biologic therapy.
  
  
  
  Nurses often spend more time with patients than doctors do. Nurse is in unique position to explore patient needs; educate about treatment, administration, product storage, and self-injection technique; determine readiness for and understanding of treatment; monitor safety and progress; and coordinate care within multidisciplinary setting.
  
  
  
  Nurse's role is complex and vitally important to optimal RA patient care. Additional nurse involvement may address unmet needs.
  
  
  
  Rheumatology nurses can address unmet patient needs by expanding current roles and by adopting additional functions.
authors.affiliation: Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis & Autoimmunity, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jane E D
authors.initials: JED
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.affiliation: Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.affiliation: Spenshult Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Oskarström, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bergsten
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blaas
authors.affiliation: Alicante General and University Hospital, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Torre Aboki
authors.affiliation: South London Healthcare NHS Trust-Queen Mary's, Sidcup, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Howse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korandova
authors.affiliation: Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, Lappeenranta, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Löfman
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Logtenberg
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary Medical Clinics, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lupton
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, RAPPORT Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallon
authors.affiliation: Minerva Health Centre, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pickles
authors.affiliation: PerCuro Clinical Research Ltd., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Leeanna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bulinckx
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000451:nursing*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic