Abstract
Objective
There is poor medication adherence in patients of South Asian origin with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is limited number of interventions to improve patient engagement. The objective of this study was to explore how patients of South Asian origin make sense of their disease after receiving written leaflets compared to online information or visualising real-time Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) images of their inflamed joints.
Methods
Patients of South Asian origin with RA were recruited from two NHS hospitals in the West Midlands, UK. In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken following exposure to vignettes designed to elicit patients’ perspectives on: (1) written leaflets, (2) online information to complement face-to-face interaction with healthcare professionals, and (3) DUS during the early stages of the disease journey. Data were analysed thematically until data saturation was reached in twenty individuals.
Results
The responses to vignette scenarios were described by patients: [1] perspectives on written leaflets during the early stages of the disease journey, [2] perspectives of online information to compliment face-to-face interaction with healthcare professionals, [3] perspective of DUS during the early stages of the disease journey. Overall, patients found real-time DUS more valuable in understanding RA and RA medications compared to other methods. Patients reported DUS reduced anxiety and helped address misconceptions about long-term disease and its ability to be controlled.
Conclusion
We have developed new understanding regarding the educational utility of a DUS session in patients of South Asian origin and how these sessions can be optimised to increase patient engagement and medication adherence.
There is poor medication adherence in patients of South Asian origin with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is limited number of interventions to improve patient engagement. The objective of this study was to explore how patients of South Asian origin make sense of their disease after receiving written leaflets compared to online information or visualising real-time Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) images of their inflamed joints.
Methods
Patients of South Asian origin with RA were recruited from two NHS hospitals in the West Midlands, UK. In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken following exposure to vignettes designed to elicit patients’ perspectives on: (1) written leaflets, (2) online information to complement face-to-face interaction with healthcare professionals, and (3) DUS during the early stages of the disease journey. Data were analysed thematically until data saturation was reached in twenty individuals.
Results
The responses to vignette scenarios were described by patients: [1] perspectives on written leaflets during the early stages of the disease journey, [2] perspectives of online information to compliment face-to-face interaction with healthcare professionals, [3] perspective of DUS during the early stages of the disease journey. Overall, patients found real-time DUS more valuable in understanding RA and RA medications compared to other methods. Patients reported DUS reduced anxiety and helped address misconceptions about long-term disease and its ability to be controlled.
Conclusion
We have developed new understanding regarding the educational utility of a DUS session in patients of South Asian origin and how these sessions can be optimised to increase patient engagement and medication adherence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Rheumatology Advances in Practice |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 6 Mar 2020 |