THU0729-HPR Patients and caregivers preferences related with the use of informatic technology tools for education in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints affecting more than 1% of global population, it is a long term condition that causes pain, disability and affects the quality of life (1). It has been demonstrated that patient's involvement with its treatment and disease management can be more effective than information-only given by the physician or a health care professional (2).ObjectivesTo describe patient's preferences regarding information technology tools for education and RA management in a specialized center in Bogotá Colombia.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive study where a survey was applied to a group of patients or care-givers attending to a patient-focused symposium in Bogotá Colombia. Descriptive epidemiology was done; percentages and averages were calculated for qualitative variables.ResultsWe included 452 participants, 80% were patients and 20% caregivers, only 25% referred to assist to informative activities regarding disease management, 41% reported to have information regarding RA, also between 29% and 45% of patients acknowledged the role of the health-care team in the disease activity management. Regarding technology information tools patients considered that WhatsApp was the most important tool to received messages to disease management (40%) followed by YouTube and websites. 70% reported to have a computer or a mobile phone with internet connection, 60% reported to use Facebook while only 30% reported to use easily websites and twitter.ConclusionsIt is important to know the preferences and access that patients and caregivers have to informatics technology in order to create self-care programs that really are going to be used in this population. This survey is evidence not only to start an educational program in our specialized center but to the health care professionals and stakeholders in Colombia.References Prothero L, Georgopoulou S, de Souza S. Patient involvement in the development of a handbook for moderate rheumatoid arthritis. 2016.Vermaak V, Briffa NK, Langlands B, Inderjeeth C, McQuade J. Evaluation of a disease specific rheumatoid arthritis self-management education program, a single group repeated measures study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2015;16:214. Disclosure of InterestNone declared