AB1149-HPR Pretreatment Education of Patients Treated with Biologicals
Authors: M. Dobnik, A. Pahor, I. Holc
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> The introduction and rapid escalation in the use of biologicals has required a steep learning curve for rheumatology specialist nurses, who are at the forefront of patient assessment and long-term management. Once a rheumatologist considers a patient potentially eligible for treatment, the patient is usually referred to a specialist nurse for screening and education. After the treatment is started, continued education of patients, support and assessment are required, which is main function of rheumatology nursing. While self-administration of subcutaneous biological treatments can promote independence, education by rheumatology nurse is very important. <h3>Methods</h3> The study group comprised of 53 patients (21 male, 32 female) aged 33 to 75 years, (mean 51 years). 39.6% of patients had rheumatoid arthritis, 24.5% had psoriatic arthritis and 35.9% spondyloarthritis. The research is based on quantitative methodology. Inquiry was used as the research method. The study involved 53 patients treated in an outpatient clinic of Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Slovenia. All patients took a part in educational program before starting the treatment with biologicals. For statistical analysis a Chi-square test and correlation were used. <h3>Results</h3> We found statistically significant positive correlation between the patients9 formal education level and awareness of self-administration (r =0.301*, p=0.028) and between the patients9 formal education level and knowledge of the serious adverse events that would require an immediate attention of the rheumatologist (r =0.370**, p=0.006). The analysis did not show any statistically significant correlations between gender, age or level of patients9 formal education and awareness of patients9 transport of medicine. We did not find any statistically significant correlations with patients9 awareness to stop the biologicals temporary or permanently due to adverse event or lack of efficacy. <h3>Conclusions</h3> We conducted a research to find out the patients9 knowledge about self-treatment with biologicals. We conclude that pretreatment patients9 education program is very important and that there is no impact of sex or age on knowledge about the treatment with biologicals but patients9 formal education level is important in recognizing serious adverse events and in awareness of proper self-administration. More patients are required for definite results. <h3>References</h3> Larsson I, Bergman S, Fridlund B, Arvidsson B. Patients9independence of a nurse for the administration of subcutaneous anti-TNF therapy: A phenomenographic study. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2010; 5(2): 10. Oliver S, Leary A. The value of the nurse specialist9 role: Pandora initial Findings. Muscoloskeletal Care. 2010; 8 (3):175–77. Palmer D, El Miedany Y. Biological nurse specialist: goodwill ta good practice, Br j Nurs. 2010; 19(8): 477-80. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4463