OP0298-PARE UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED INFORMATION
Authors: J. Sagen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> High quality and easy-to-understand information are a key part of living a healthy life with chronic illness. One of the issues we face today is when a simple Google search can lead patients astray due to all the misleading information available on the internet. As a result, members of The Norwegian Association for Rheumatic diseases (NRF) report that there is a huge demand for personalized, easy-to-access, evidence- based, and knowledge-driven information. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The aims were to enhance health literacy and strengthen self-efficacy in patients with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) through the development and delivery of quality-assured and evidence-based material where patient knowledge and coping have a central part. <h3>Methods:</h3> The project included the co- creation of diagnosis-specific and symptom-specific material. National diagnose-specific patient groups affiliated to NRF supplied essential patient knowledge (Figure 1). The information material includes up-to-date medical information. The information was built on patients' needs and preferences, mediated by our experienced peers. In special, we have produced ten symptom-specific films, ten diagnosis-specific brochures and ten diagnosis-specific social media posts. The information is logical structured and has a language that is easy to understand and use in daily coping and in preparation ahead of doctoral appointments. The included diagnoses are spondylitis, pain and fatigue, sjogren's syndrome, lower back pain, gout, frozen shoulder, arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, and psoriatic arthritis. <h3>Results:</h3> The films and the themed brochures were digitised. The video content was personalised with the textual content and consists of interviews with patients and healthcare professionals. The content of the thematic brochures is comprehensive and can be downloaded. To meet the "Google patient", we shared information on digital platforms, websites, and social media platforms. To ensure the best possible dissemination, the information is complemented with a communication strategy. To reach out to the professional milieu, we focus our efforts on specialized rheumatology outpatient clinics, learning centres, coping centres, and municipal healthy life centres. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> The project has enhanced health literacy and patient engagement in patients with RMDs. This may lead to patients who are more able to understand what matters to them, and who are more aware of how they can influence and improve their treatment and recovery. In addition, healthcare professionals may increase the understanding on how to meet patients' individual needs. <h3>Future perspectives:</h3> Other patients' organisations will also receive help from the methods developed in this project. NRFs membership in the Norwegian Association of Disabled People can help supply arenas for the continuation of user-generated experiences beyond our own organization. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> All contributing participants. <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>