[Flexible programs and advanced training for rheumatological patient education]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Existing rheumatological patient education programmes required updating to meet current standards.
• A need for standardized, evidence-based educational frameworks for various rheumatological conditions was identified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement updated patient education programmes for rheumatological conditions.
• To create a framework for rheumatological patient education and derive specific curricula for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and axial spondyloarthritis (AS).

Main Methods:

• An expert-consented framework for rheumatological patient education was established.
• Curricula and working materials for RA and AS were developed, leading to two exemplary patient education manuals.
• A randomized controlled trial was designed for the RA education program, and train-the-trainer courses were adapted.

Main Results:

• An expert framework for rheumatological patient education was successfully developed.
• Specific educational materials and manuals for rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis were created.
• Methodologies for evaluating the RA program and training educators were established.

Conclusions:

• The updated framework provides a foundation for standardized rheumatological patient education.
• Developed curricula and manuals offer practical tools for educating patients with RA and AS.
• The study established a pathway for implementing and evaluating evidence-based patient education in rheumatology.