Patient Education is one of the most important aspect of patient management.
Patient Education is one of the most important aspects of patient management. Education about the disease process, exacerbating factors, signs, and symptoms to monitor and diet and lifestyle modification including weight loss, exercises, and muscle strengthening may improve long-term outcomes in patients with various different types of arthritis. Adults with rheumatoid arthritis are given opportunities throughout the workshops on their disease to take part in educational activities that support self-management.
Rationale
It is important that adults with rheumatoid arthritis are involved in making decisions about their care and have a good understanding of their condition and its management. This enables them to get the best from their medicines, to better manage flare-ups, pain and fatigue, as well as improving their overall quality of life. To ensure they get the greatest benefit, it is essential that adults with rheumatoid arthritis are offered educational and self-management activities and signposting to resources provided by patient organizations like MEAF, throughout the disease course and at times to suit individual needs.
Interactive Educational Activities
Interactive educational activities and self-management programs can be provided 1-to-1 in an informal setting, through self-study or computer-based interventions. They can also be provided in formal organized group sessions led by rheumatology healthcare professionals, wellbeing coaches, or trained lay leaders with arthritis or other chronic conditions. Different formats may be used, and should include patient information supported by written resources, to improve understanding of the condition and its management, and counter any misconceptions adults with rheumatoid arthritis may have. Educational activities may include lectures or facilitated interactive group discussions to increase knowledge and reduce concerns. Alternatively, regular skills practice, goal setting and home programs may be used to facilitate behavioral change. The opportunity to take part in existing educational activities and self-management programs should be offered to patients with rheumatoid arthritis throughout the course of their disease.
MANAGING ARTHRITIS SERIES
Self-Care Planner-Part 1
Journaling with Arthritis – Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Trackers
Keeping a journal is a practice that a lot of people already do. You may even be one of them — perhaps you jot down thoughts about each day as it comes to a close, or seek motivation and courage by baring your soul to the page.
Today we’re here to talk about using a journal for another practical purpose — tracking your arthritis treatment journey, in order to better manage your routine and track results, and to remember what works and what doesn’t.
Journaling can be used for far more than tracking romantic crushes or reflecting on one’s past. It’s actually a perfect tool to better your future. Join us, and you may even find yourself noting other stuff about your routines and practices as well, perhaps things you’d never taken the time to notice before.
Some find it useful to type their journal into a doc on their computer or tablet, rather than writing by hand. Tablets can be very handy, and they’re larger than mobile phones but still offer touchscreen typing rather than having to push down keys at every letter.
Lastly, speech-prompted typing software can be used during periods of extreme pain.
Journal tip: There’s no need to write expansive paragraphs if complete sentences are too painful. Use abbreviations and symbols to note treatments, feelings, and successes/failures. For example: a Doctor’s visit can be abbreviated to DV, while exercise can be noted with an “E” or “S” (for stretching). Medications can be noted by their first two letters, and even daily activities like work (W), Time with Kids (K), and Rest Periods (RP) can be noted in shorthand. Use bullet points to separate notations, with a header like “Today’s activity”