Education for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Latin America and the Caribbean

Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Mar;34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S45-9. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-3014-y. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

Patient education is highly recommended in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to support patient management. The challenge is to adhere to the recommendations for providing health education to RA patients in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries taking into account factors such as patient health illiteracy, lack of rheumatologists, and lack of resources including access to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). As existing educational material in regional languages is not readily available and inadequate, we propose developing a web-based educational program that would fulfill the requirements of most patients with RA across LAC countries with an emphasis on the correct and safe use of methotrexate.

Keywords: Latin America; Patient education; Rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Caribbean Region
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Latin America
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Patient Education as Topic / standards*
  • Program Evaluation / standards*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Methotrexate