Measuring the Impact of an Innovative Educational Intervention in Inflammatory Arthritis

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether patients with active RA starting or changing biological agents demonstrate better self-care safety skills in practical situations using the BioSecure questionnaire three months after receiving a multidisciplinary educational intervention, as compared to patients who received usual care. The secondary objectives were to assess the impact of the educational intervention on behavioral intentions and beliefs and adherence to RA medications in patients receiving the intervention compared to usual care. Trial design This was a pilot, unblinded, randomized study. Participants in group 1 received the usual care plus the multidisciplinary educational intervention at baseline. Participants in group 2 first received usual care, and after 3 months were offered the intervention. The patients' self-care safety skills was measured using the BioSecure questionnaire, and the behavioral intentions and beliefs with respect to medications was assessed using structured questionnaires at baseline, 3 and 6 months. With the participant authorization, data on RA medication adherence, i.e. biological agents and other non-biologic Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs) was obtained for the 3 months preceding enrollment and up to 6 months afterwards using their pharmacy records.