AB1417-HPR RHEUMATOLOGY NURSE PRACTICE: EDUCATION TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
Authors: Linda Grinnell-Merrick, Iris Zink, Elizabeth Kirchner, Jacqueline Fritz, Monica Richey, Cathy Patty-Resk, Carrie Beach, Vickie Sayles, Eileen Mccullagh, Eileen Lydon, Sheree Carter, Scott Kober
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> <i>Rheumatology Nurse Practice</i> is an accredited educational initiative spearheaded by members of the Rheumatology Nurses Societys Board of Directors and Education Department that has been ongoing for the last 10 years. It involves a combination of print issues and live broadcasts geared toward rheumatology nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. In 2017, nine evidence-based print issues were published along with nine corresponding case-based live broadcasts using the Google Hangouts On Air platform. To gauge the impact of this education, a special cohort of 100 learners was recruited at the start of 2017 to provide in-depth feedback through the completion of detailed pre- and post- activity surveys. This abstract focuses on feedback from four issues of <i>Rheumatology Nurse Practice</i> that centered on the following topics: New Insights into the Treatment of the Spondyloarthropathies Looking at the Horizon: What Does the Future Hold in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis? The Pathophysiology of Spondyloarthritis: Connecting and Differentiating Characteristics The Pathophysiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Nursing Primer <h3>Objectives</h3> To gauge improvements in learners knowledge, competence, and performance as a result of this education. Specific learning objectives were tied to each print issue of <i>Rheumatology Nurse Practice</i> and served as the basis for the pre- and post-activity surveys. <h3>Methods</h3> Each print issue contained a combination of evidence-based content related to the main theme, along with a series of individual essays written by activity faculty members. These essays all also linked to the main theme of the issue. Live broadcasts were intended to bring a real-life, case-based perspective to the education. <h3>Results</h3> Improvements of &gt;25% in both knowledge and competence were noted between pre- vs. post-activity cohort surveys for all issues in this initiative. Learners also provided extensive feedback regarding specific areas of improvement within their day-to-day practice based on the education. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Print issues and online broadcasts within the Rheumatology Nurse Practice initiative are valued resources, dealing with sensitive and challenging issues faced by practicing rheumatology nurses and nurse practitioners in a clinically-meaningful manner Survey cohort participants showed a substantial improvement in their understanding of a variety of rheumatic diseases and improved their ability to communicate with patients about disease diagnosis and treatment options. <h3>References</h3> [1] Rheumatology Nurse Practice. New Insights into the Treatment of the Spondyloarthropathies. Volume 3, Issue 5. [2] Rheumatology Nurse Practice. Looking at the Horizon: What Does the Future Hold in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Volume 3, Issue 6. [3] Rheumatology Nurse Practice. The Pathophysiology of Spondyloarthritis: Connecting and Differentiating Characteristics. Volume 3, Issue 7. [4] Rheumatology Nurse Practice. The Pathophysiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Nursing Primer. Volume 3, Issue 8. <h3>Acknowledgement</h3> Audience generation and production assistance was provided by Lyons Den Solutions <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Linda Grinnell-Merrick Consultant for: Abbvie, Celgene, Lily, Pfizer, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, Iris Zink Consultant for: Pfizer, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Crescendo Biosciences, Horizon, Elizabeth Kirchner Consultant for: Celgene, Regeneron, Speakers bureau: Merck, Regeneron, Jacqueline Fritz Consultant for: Lilly, AbbVie, Celgene, Horizon, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Speakers bureau: Celgene, AbbVie, Genentech, Horizon, Monica Richey Consultant for: Celgene, Novartis, Speakers bureau: Mallinckrodt, Cathy Patty-Resk: None declared, Carrie Beach Consultant for: Celgene, Merck, Sanofi, Vickie Sayles Consultant for: Celgene, Eileen McCullagh Shareholder of: Abbott, AbbVie, Amgen, Baxalta, Baxter, BMS, Pfizer, Eileen Lydon Consultant for: Celgene, Horizon, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Sheree Carter: None declared, Scott Kober: None declared