Effective patient education reflects their needs

What is it about?

The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the needs-based education on the health outcomes of people with rheumatoid arthritis. We looked at whether giving patient education guided by a questionnaire, results in better health outcomes to patients, than giving patient education without the questionnaire.

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Why is it important?

Most clinicians provide brief information to patients after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. A number of these patients are referred to Clinical Nurse Specialists for more patient education especially if they are going to start drug therapy. While experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists can easily provide patient education, this may not necessarily match the patient’s needs or priorities. Consequently, the education/information that is not relevant to patients is not acted upon by patients. Use of the ENAT ensures that the clinician provides education which is also in patient’s priority needs. Our study has shown that this needs-based education is likely to improve patients’ outcomes