title: 'What I want clinicians to know'--experiences of people with arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceptions and experiences of people with osteoarthrits (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regarding the knowledge and skills they want nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) to have to manage their care needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two condition-specific focus groups were conducted in London with five people with OA and eight people with RA in January 2011. A semistructured interview guide was used. The focus groups were audiotaped and the transcripts analysed using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shared and condition-specific themes were identified. The shared themes were: living with pain; the need for self-management; and meaningful consultation. The condition-specific themes were: no experts in OA; and wanting to talk in the RA participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with OA and RA wanted nurses and AHPs to listen, empathise and help them to manage their condition, especially the pain. Participants with RA would value psychological support. We need to ensure that nurses and AHPs have the knowledge and skills to address these needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lillie
authors.forename: Cath
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thwaites
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012648:Self Care