Study of Psychological Processes and Self-Management Behavior in Patients Suffering from Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

这项研究是为了帮助确定指导和教育早期(发病一年或更短时间)类风湿性关节炎(以下简称RA)患者的有效方法。为此，分析了影响早期类风湿关节炎患者心理过程和自我管理行为的因素，以及医护人员对患者进行指导的现状。这项研究发现，早期RA患者对他们的预后和他们的日常生活可能受到影响的方式感到强烈的焦虑。他们的焦虑加剧是因为他们不知道如何进行自我管理，他们希望医护人员为他们提供指导，告诉他们应该如何照顾自己。此外，一项对门诊护士的调查显示，虽然护士们意识到为早期RA患者提供指导和教育的必要性，但她们没有时间做太多的事情。此外，没有关于患者教育的指导方针，与其他类型的医疗保健提供者的合作也有限。调查结果提示，有必要建立指导和教育方法，并举办研讨会，使医护人员能够为早期RA患者提供心理支持和自我管理方面的帮助。

This study was conducted to help identify effective methods of guiding and educating early-stage (one year or less from onset) rheumatoid arthritis (hereafter referred to as RA) sufferers. For this purpose, an analysis was conducted on factors that affect the mental processes and self-management behavior of early-stage RA patients, as well as on the current situation of the guidance given to the patients by healthcare personnel. The awareness of healthcare personnel regarding these issues was also examined.This study found that early-stage RA patients suffer from intense anxiety over their prognosis and over the way their daily life may be affected. Their anxiety is worsened because they do not understand how to proceed with self-management, and they want healthcare personnel to provide them with instruction as to how they should care for themselves. In addition, a survey of outpatient nurses revealed that, although the nurses were aware of the necessity of providing guidance and education for early-stage RA patients, they do not have time to do much about it. Further, there are no guidelines for patient education, and there is limited collaboration with other types of healthcare providers. The survey results suggest the necessity of establishing guidance and education methods and of holding seminars that are designed to enable healthcare personnel to provide early RA patients with mental support and assistance in practicing self-management.