Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the psychological support needs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to design a psychological support program. The subjects were 20 RA patients (18 women, 2 men) who were receiving medical treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and verbatim transcriptions of the interviews were prepared and analyzed by the grounded theory approach. Most of the subjects required telephone counseling, RA-related websites, e-mail counseling, individual in-person counseling, psychoeducation, and participation in a self-help group. The creation of a comprehensive support program by a team consisting of a physician, nurse, and clinical psychologist may improve the quality of life (QOL) of RA patients. Psychoeducation programs required when a definite diagnosis has been made may include : 1) a detailed explanation of RA, 2) physical care, 3) psychological care, and 4) advice in regard to recuperation, and psycho-education programs required at the start of biological drug treatment may incude : 1) a detailed explanation of the effects and side effects, 2) self injection, 3) cost, and 4) anxiety and expectation in regard to biological drugs. Psychoeducation programs required for family members may include : 1) lectures on RA, 2) mental health of RA patients, and 3) mental care for family members. Moreover, a comprehensive support program based on dialectical behavior therapy may be effective as a psycho-logical care model for RA patients, and may contribute to the effectiveness of treat to target.
