PATIENT EDUCATION: TEACHING THE PATIENT WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Course overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by pain, swelling, tenderness, and deformity of the joints. Patient education for the patient with RA refers to the process of providing information about RA to improve the patient’s knowledge about the disease and its treatment and to increase skills necessary for successful management of the disease. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of the procedure for providing patient education about RA, including a step-by-step process and the benefits of patient education on this topic. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.