Table 1

Recommendations for patient education for people with inflammatory arthritis

Overarching principles

  • 1. Patient education is a planned interactive learning process designed to support and enable people to manage their life with inflammatory arthritis and optimise their health and well-being

  • 2. Communication and shared decision making between people with inflammatory arthritis and their healthcare professionals are essential for effective patient education

Level of agreement mean (SD)
RecommendationsCategory of evidenceStrength of recommendationTask forceConsultation group
1. Patient education should be provided for people with inflammatory arthritis as an integral part of standard care in order to increase patient involvement in disease management and health promotion1A–2BA–C9.6 (0.8)9.2 (1.8)
2. All people with inflammatory arthritis should have access to and be offered patient education throughout the course of their disease including as a minimum; at diagnosis, at pharmacological treatment change and when required by the patient's physical or psychological condition3–4C–D9.6 (0.7)9.1 (1.8)
3. The content and delivery of patient education should be individually tailored and needs-based for people with inflammatory arthritis1BA9.8 (0.6)9.1 (2.3)
4. Patient education in inflammatory arthritis should include individual and/or group sessions, which can be provided through face-to-face or online interactions, and supplemented by phone calls, written or multimedia material1A–BA9.5 (0.7)8.9 (2.4)
5. Patient education programmes in inflammatory arthritis should have a theoretical framework and be evidence-based, such as self-management, cognitive behavioural therapy or stress management1A–BA9.5 (0.9)8.8 (2.2)
6. The effectiveness of patient education in inflammatory arthritis should be evaluated and outcomes used must reflect the objectives of the patient education programme4D9.6 (0.8)8.3 (1.8)
7. Patient education in inflammatory arthritis should be delivered by competent health professionals and/or by trained patients, if appropriate, in a multidisciplinary team3C9.5 (0.8)8.4 (2.0)
8. Providers of patient education in inflammatory arthritis should have access to and undertake specific training in order to obtain and maintain knowledge and skills3–4C–D9.4 (0.8)8.2 (1.6)