title: A survey of people with foot problems related to rheumatoid arthritis and their educational needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Up to 50% of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have foot symptoms at diagnosis, hence early foot health intervention is recommended and this should include patient education. This study identifies, for the first time, the foot health education (FHE) needs of people with RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey of people with RA (n= 543) captured quantitative data in relation to the aims, methods of delivery, content, timing and accessibility of FHE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority concurred about the aims of FHE. Verbal delivery and websites were the most common methods. Written and verbal FHE were perceived to be the most effective methods. The point of diagnosis was the preferred time to receive it. Lack of access to FHE included minimal focus on foot health during consultations by both health practitioners and patients with RA. Participant gender, age, disease duration and living situation had a statistically significant influence on the results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foot health education is rarely considered within the medical consultation. There is a lack of patient and/or health professional awareness of this need with a detrimental impact on foot health. Patients require health professionals to identify their foot education health needs. Tailored foot health education should begin at initial diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Science Research, University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, UK.|Directorate of Prosthetics, Orthotics and Podiatry, University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Science Research, University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, UK.|Directorate of Prosthetics, Orthotics and Podiatry, University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Anita E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors