Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, limiting daily activities and resulting in reduced quality of life. However, the pain and disability accompanying all types of arthritis can be minimized through early diagnosis and appropriate management. Arthritis patient-education can play a key role in the management of arthritis and has been shown to be effective in producing changes in knowledge, behaviors, psychosocial status, and health status. Traditionally, the Arthritis Foundation has addressed the need for arthritis patient education through formal patient education programs such as the Arthritis Self-Help Course, People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACEŽ), and the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program. However, access to these programs is sometimes limited by barriers such as transportation, geographic location, and time. In an effort to address these barriers and expand the types of programs offered, the Arthritis Foundation developed a self-help, home study program known as Arthritis Basics for Change: The ABC's of Arthritis. This program is self-paced and is accompanied by audiocassettes for those who may have reading difficulties. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the development, implementation and evaluation of the program. Evaluation of the program will assess changes in knowledge about arthritis and its treatment; frequency of self-care behaviors; perceived helplessness; and levels of pain and depression. In addition to these findings, this presentation will discuss recommendations for future implementation of the program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the learner will be able to: 1) describe the Arthritis Basics for Change program, 2) discuss the benefits and outcomes of the program 3)summarize the recommendations for future implementation and evaluation.
Keywords: Evaluation, Arthritis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arthritis Foundation
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.