Effectiveness of computer assisted patient education on knowledge and perceived self efficacy of RA patients attending selected polyclinics in Salalah, Oman

Introduction: The prevalence of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Oman was 8.4 per 1000 adults as per earlier records. Onset of RA implies lifelong process of adaptation in all domains of life and through education it can be improved. Patient education helps to increase knowledge, self management strategies by influencing their self efficacy.Objective: To describe how much patients know about their disease and what kind of self efficacy they have, also to evaluate the effectiveness of computer- assisted patient education in terms of knowledge and self efficacy.Method: An evaluative, one group pretest posttest design was used. Data were collected from 76 RA patients who attend the Rheumatology polyclinic, Sultan Qaboos Hospital, Salalah, using the tools at baseline and after 30 days of teaching.Result: The mean pretest score of PKQ was 10.16 ± 4.16, the subscale general knowledge of RA had a better mean 3.58 ± 1.70, than knowledge of drugs (1.74 ± 1.14). Fifty percentage of the sample had average knowledge and 48.6% poor knowledge. The mean pretest self efficacy scores for pain, function and other symptoms were 4.60 ± 1.71, 4.99 ± 1.76, 4.81 ± 2 respectively. Posttest score of knowledge was 21.69 ± 4.04 and self efficacy (total) 7.25 ± 1.46. Wilcoxon- matched pairs signed- rank test showed that knowledge and self efficacy improved with patient education (Z= -7.44, p ˂ 0.0001, Z= -7.19, p ˂ 0.0001, respectively).Conclusion: Education helps patient to get accustomed to living with chronic diseases like RA. Patient focused education on self-management of RA is a neglected area. There is an urgent requirement to address this unmet need and optimize the general health of every person with RA.