Uncovering essential skills for effective rheumatoid arthritis management: A qualitative grounded theory study

Effective management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) relies on patients acquiring a specific set of skills. Patient education is a promising approach to achieve this. Despite extensive research in this area, a complete understanding of the necessary skills for persons living with RA remains elusive. This study aims to identify the essential skills required for individuals with RA, develop a hierarchical framework, and provide insights for targeted therapeutic education programs.

A qualitative approach using constructivist grounded theory was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with (23) medical professionals specializing in RA and (16) RA patients. The data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software.

Six major themes emerged: self-care and coping, emotional and psychological resilience, knowledge and literacy in RA, personal development, communication and relationship building, and self-learning and problem-solving. These themes suggest a hierarchical structure, with knowledge serving as the foundation and progressing to more complex skills such as problem-solving and communication.

This study provides an overview of the multifaceted nature of the skills required for optimal RA management. The proposed hierarchical structure offers a robust framework for developing targeted therapeutic education programs. The findings highlight the significance of a patient-centered approach in the effective management of RA.