ASSESSMENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES: A HYBRID CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

• Grant number: 23/12909-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Paula Regina Mendes da Silva Serrão
• Grantee: Tatyane Maria Albano
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, and inflammatory disease that predominantly affects females aged between 30-50 years. The most common symptoms include swelling, joint pain, and stiffness, along with psychological impact leading to decreased quality of life and functionality. Treatment recommendations can be categorized into pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Among non-pharmacological approaches, studies suggest that physical exercise and health education are recommended for RA patients. It's important to note that patient education should be an integral part of the treatment; however, there is no consensus on the necessary knowledge for individuals with RA. Thus, there is a need for a study to assess the educational needs of the Brazilian population to develop patient-centered health education strategies. Objective: To assess the health education needs of individuals diagnosed with RA in Brazil, based on individual preferences regarding the content of educational materials. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional hybrid observational study conducted through an online questionnaire with a convenience sample. Participants will be adults over 18 years old with an RA diagnosis recruited through social media. The questionnaire will be divided into sections covering personal information, educational needs, and patient literacy levels. Descriptive analysis will be conducted, and data will be tabulated using Microsoft Excel (version 2013, Microsoft Inc, Redmond, WA). Expected Results: Based on the identified needs, it is expected that the genuine educational requirements of individuals with RA will become clearer. Consequently, possible intervention strategies can be outlined.