The aim of the present study was to implement a nurse telephone education programme for patients with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that promotes shared decision-making and a treat-to-target approach.
This was a pilot project of newly diagnosed adult RA patients conducted between November 2015 and December 2016. A rheumatology clinic nurse telephoned patients to offer disease education. A toolkit was mailed to patients. Measures included call attempts, call time, a qualitative description of free-text notes and the proportion of patients who adhered to their next clinic visit. Data were analysed descriptively and qualitatively.
Twenty-six patients participated in the nurse calls. Most patients were female (65%), with a median age of 54 years (range 22-78 years). Median call length was 14.5 min, with a range of 8-23 min. Qualitative notes indicated that patients overwhelmingly supported the nurse calls. Nineteen patients (73%) were adherent to their follow-up visit.
This preliminary project successfully implemented an educational programme that included a nurse-facilitated, RA-specific, telephone call and toolkit. This educational programme could be a model for similar educational efforts by other clinics.