An outcome evaluation study of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Management Programme in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study examines whether the Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Management Programme is effective in, as well as able to achieve a stabilizing effect on, enhancing participants' perception of control over the symptoms, improving health behaviours and health status, and reducing use of health care resources. This is a single group pre- and post-design with a sample of 70 participants. After the intervention and at 1 month follow-up, participants show significant improvements in arthritis self-efficacy, self-management behaviour (exercise, cognitive symptoms management and communication with doctors), psychological well-being (sense of helplessness, mood and anxiety) and health status (pain and fatigue). These improvements become stabilized at 6 months follow up after completion of the programme. In addition, the programme is found effective in reducing visits to general physician. The results in this study clearly indicate that this community based patient education programme can offer substantial benefits for the participants, particularly in terms of perceived self-efficacy on managing various aspects of arthritis, the establishment of positive health behaviour and its stabilizing effects. Therefore, the complementary role of patient self-management education to traditional disease-oriented medical services can offer a valuable adjunct to medical care and is thus worth a stronger advocation.