TY - JOUR
T1 - Patient experiences with intensive combination-treatment strategies with glucocorticoids for early rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Decock, Diederik
AU - Meyfroidt, S
AU - Van der Elst, K
AU - De Cock, D
AU - Joly, J
AU - Westhovens, R
AU - Hulscher, M
AU - Verschueren, P
N1 - Meyfroidt, Sabrina Van der Elst, Kristien De Cock, Diederik Joly, Johan Westhovens, Rene Hulscher, Marlies Verschueren, Patrick Ireland Patient Educ Couns. 2015 Mar;98(3):384-90. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.011. Epub 2014 Nov 20.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To investigate patients' experiences with intensive combination-treatment strategies with glucocorticoids (ICTS-GCs) in the early phase of early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) treatment. METHODS: We interviewed 26 participants individually, 4-6 months after initiation of ICTS-GCs (t1). Fourteen participants from the same sample took part in one of three focus groups at least 1 year after treatment initiation (t2). Each interview was audio-recorded, literally transcribed and thematically coded. RESULTS: The participants described concerns and feelings about ICTS-GCs that changed over time; for example, a fear of side effects diminished when the treatment effects were beneficial or expected side effects did not materialize. Moreover, participants indicated additional information needs at t1 and t2. The most used sources of information were healthcare professionals, relatives, and the Internet. Furthermore, participants reported on their relationship with healthcare professionals and the need for trust and reassurance, especially at t1. Lastly, participants described their personal self-management strategies. CONCLUSION: Despite their concerns at treatment initiation, most participants had positive experiences with ICTS-GCs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should be aware that, in the early phase of treatment, they can address patients' concerns, they are the most important information source, they need to create a relationship of trust, and guide patients in self-management strategies.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate patients' experiences with intensive combination-treatment strategies with glucocorticoids (ICTS-GCs) in the early phase of early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) treatment. METHODS: We interviewed 26 participants individually, 4-6 months after initiation of ICTS-GCs (t1). Fourteen participants from the same sample took part in one of three focus groups at least 1 year after treatment initiation (t2). Each interview was audio-recorded, literally transcribed and thematically coded. RESULTS: The participants described concerns and feelings about ICTS-GCs that changed over time; for example, a fear of side effects diminished when the treatment effects were beneficial or expected side effects did not materialize. Moreover, participants indicated additional information needs at t1 and t2. The most used sources of information were healthcare professionals, relatives, and the Internet. Furthermore, participants reported on their relationship with healthcare professionals and the need for trust and reassurance, especially at t1. Lastly, participants described their personal self-management strategies. CONCLUSION: Despite their concerns at treatment initiation, most participants had positive experiences with ICTS-GCs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should be aware that, in the early phase of treatment, they can address patients' concerns, they are the most important information source, they need to create a relationship of trust, and guide patients in self-management strategies.
U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.011
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.011
M3 - Article
VL - 98
SP - 384
EP - 390
JO - Patient education and counseling
JF - Patient education and counseling
SN - 0738-3991
IS - 3
ER -