Health education in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot education program

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, systemic, chronic and autoimmune disease, characterized by joint damage, deformities, loss of function, and systemic complications that affect the lungs, heart and other organs. Health education consists of actions directed centrally to the change of the behaviour of the individuals focusing on their lifestyle being that these activities are concentrated in educational activities. The objective of this experience report was to implement a health education program aimed at patients with rheumatoid arthritis, providing the development of personal skills, autonomy, knowledge about the disease and self-care. Establishing a correlation between teaching, research and university extension. The educational program was developed in a university hospital in the city of Manaus, and used active and playful methodologies to propagate and transmit knowledge to individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. A positive performance of at least 80% was observed in all the questions asked. The program demonstrated good receptivity in the community.