Characteristics and development of therapeutic patient education in rheumatology : analysis of the 2003-2008 literature

Objective:The aim of this study is to point out the recent characteristics and developments of therapeutic patient education(TPE) in rheumatoid arthritis through an analysis of the international articles published from 2003 to 2008. Method: Studies were selected from major databases,using the following keywords:rheumatoid arthritis, patient education, self-management, programs. Thre eauthors independently reviewed each studyand selected the data using the patient education research categories(PERC). Articles consistently related to patient education in rheumatoid arthritis(37among109) were included. Results: The selected articles have been published in 23 scientific journals.The majority of them concern TPE for adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis.TPE is delivered in several structures and group education represents the most widespread educational strategy mainly provided by a multiprofessional team.There are two types of programs:educational, aiming to make the patient competent in the daily management of his disease and psycho-educational ones, aiming to improve coping and to decrease stress, anxiety and depression. Twenty-eight studies show the effectiveness of TPE on the basis of bio-clinical, educational, psychosocial, economical criteria, but the majority of these positive results are observed in short-term. Barriers toTPE are linked to cultural and socio-economic factors. Conclusion: A large number of studies stilla ssess the positive effects of TPE. Nowadays, the problems of short-term efficacy of TPE and the cultural and social barrierst ot his practice havebecome a major issu