The psychological consequences of living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are common. The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate views of patients with RA about the provision of psychological support; (ii) to study the efficacy of a person-centred cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) self-management approach, including a health economic investigation. A mixed methods was applied: a formative qualitative interview study and a quantitative CBT intervention formed the case series feasibility study design, and a health economic investigation. The qualitative study highlighted that patients welcome emotional support. The CBT intervention from a small sample suggested that participants may have benefitted from the intervention until to the point of the follow-up. The results of the economic component need to be interpreted with caution in relation to service gaps. A broad approach in the delivery of a psychological intervention may benefit patients with long-term conditions. The practice implications are that RA patients may benefit from psychological interventions to cope better with their condition through personal intervention, and flexible appointment system. Intervention studies need to test this question in detail in the future.
