POS0316-PARE SELF-GUIDED FATIGUE MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION PROMOTES SELF-EFFICACY FOR EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE FATIGUE AND ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT EDUCATION FOR WORK (FAME-W) SELF-GUIDED WORKBOOK
Authors: S. Karkon, D. Connolly, F. O ’Shea, H. Mccormack, R. Conway, T. Fitzgerald, S. Gilmurray, L. Connaughton, B. Irudayaraj, D. Veale, A. Synnott
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Self-management interventions are effective in managing inflammatory arthritis and are recommended by EULAR. Self-directed self-management resources offer flexibility and independent symptom management. Therefore, the effectiveness of a Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) self-guided workbook was tested with individuals with inflammatory arthritis to manage fatigue, and pain in work. The acceptability and usefulness of the workbook were explored through qualitative interviews. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To explore the effectiveness and the acceptability of the self-guided FAME-W workbook by individuals with inflammatory arthritis to support their ability to remain employed. <h3>Methods:</h3> A qualitative descriptive design was used, and data were analysed by thematic analysis. This study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of two different fatigue management-in-work interventions: a self-guided workbook and a virtually delivered group-based intervention. Individuals recruited for the study were in paid employment, had inflammatory arthritis, and were between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five. Those who were allocated to the self-guided workbook completed a semi-structured interview to explore their perspectives on the impact of the intervention on their work performance and their experiences of a self-guided intervention. <h3>Results:</h3> Interviews were conducted with 40 individuals in the self-guided workbook intervention. The majority of participants were female, working full-time in non-manual jobs, and had Rheumatoid Arthritis. Four themes were identified. The first theme was "<i>Content and Format of The Workbook</i>" where participants discussed the relevance of the workbook content to their symptoms and the workbook's ease of use. Participants reported that the workbook was relevant to their symptoms and needs. Furthermore, participants reported that the workbook was easy to navigate through. In the second theme, participants discussed "<i>Implementing Strategies from The Workbook</i>", through goal setting, and the fatigue and pain diaries provided in the workbook. They reported using the dairies to identify the causes and timing of fatigue and pain and using strategies from the workbook to manage their symptoms. The third theme "<i>Validation of Symptoms</i>" highlighted the importance of reiterating and normalising symptoms that are negatively affecting day-to-day and work life. Participants reported increased understanding and a sense of reassurance about their symptoms. In the final theme "<i>Future Use of The Workbook</i>" participants discussed different ways they would utilize the workbook in the future. This included making copies of resources, suggestions, and strategies such as fatigue and pain diaries, joint protection, and ergonomics figures provided in the workbook to be used at work and home. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> A self-guided fatigue management workbook was acceptable to individuals with inflammatory arthritis and provided strategies for managing IA-related symptoms in work. The findings of this study suggest that self-guided workbooks could assist individuals with inflammatory arthritis to meet their work demands, attain self-management skills, and provide an accessible resource for future use. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>