BackgroundThe use of information and communication technology (ICT) in occupational therapy should allow management of chronic diseases by providing support programs in education including the use of multimedia services.ObjectivesIn order to determine the presence of information and communication technologies use in the options of telerehabilitation, a survey was conducted 224 newly diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsThe quantitative research approach was used with the newly created detected patients with RA treated on Department of Rheumatology at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The questionnaire included basic demographic information and questions about the use extent and possibilities for using ICT. The population also accounted for patients with RA diagnosed between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015. The data obtained was statistically analysed with the SPSS program IMB 20. The total of 64 survey questionnaires were completed, which represents 28% of the selected population.Results23.4% RA patients don't use internet. 48.4% RA patients use personal computers (PC), and 51.6% patients use smart phones. 35.3% of patients that use PC use it for e-mailing, searching health information (35.4%), video calls (13.3%) and sending messages (15%). Patients who use smart phones use them for calls (31.9%), texting and calls (26.7%), e-mailing (25%), searching health information (12.9%), and video calls (3.4%). There is a positive correlation between the use of modern ICT and the opinion that the interviewed patients would use telerehabilitation services during their rehabilitation. Pearson correlation coefficients are statistically significant with all the ICT. With using a PC (r =0.602) and smart phones (r =0.542) there is a medium strong positive correlation Positive coefficients indicate that the surveyed patients who are increasingly using ICT think they could help themselves with telerehabilitation. Increased frequency of ICT usage is associated with potentially greater possibility of using telerehabilitation.ConclusionsThe need for rapid access and exchange of information is the main reason for the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare, and is conditional for the development of e-health. Research provided answers questions about the possibilities of using information and communication technology and rehabilitation services at a distance – telerehabilitation in occupational therapy.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

Background Patients with rheumatic diseases need a multidisciplinary approach in order to better understand and manage their disease. It is therefore important that they have guaranteed and continuous access to health care professionals who can assist them in coping with everyday problems, such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, mobility difficulties, improvement of daily activities, and can also provide them with support needed to deal with psychological issues. In Slovenia, additional activities are made possible to patients through the national Rheumatology Association. Activities that would help patients and their relatives to improve their problems and facilitate daily activities are presented in the form of workshops. Objectives The objective of our research was to obtain the following information: in which fields the patients with rheumatic diseases need most education, which problems stand out, to what extent are they willing to help themselves, and how they would achieve their goals. Methods A representative sample of patients (n=101; 29 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 72 patients with various rheumatic diseases) were included in the study. The questionnaire was divided into several sections covering specific areas including some demographic questions. The following possible answers were offered: “Does not matter at all; Slightly important; Quite important; and Very important”. One hundred and one fully completed questionnaires were returned for analysis. 71 women and 30 men participated (mean age 58.2±12 years). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 17 statistical package. Results 64% of surveyed patients have identified mobility difficulties. The most important area in which they wish to receive additional assistance is disease management (96%), then adverse drug reactions (93%), treatment of disease (90%), and the importance of examinations (88.8%). Joint protection proved to be very important (89.4%), and also the methods of load lifting 74.9%. 73% of respondents were interested in overcoming fatigue, and in regard to self-help, 82.5% of patients want to learn techniques of maintaining their flexibility. Variations in interests between men (M) and women (W) were found in the field of self-medications with food and vitamins (M 63.3%, W 77.4%; p=0.23), in managing emotions (M 56.7%, W 70.45; p=0.42), and the impact of diseases on relatives (M 70%, W 83%; p=0.14), but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions It is clear from the questionnaires that, to a large extent, patients want to obtain assistance and additional information in the field of cognition and disease management, and in resolving the daily problems they face. With the education of correct techniques of joint protection and maintenance of mobility, as well as other advice to help patients with rheumatic diseases, their quality of life would be maintained in an effective way. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

BackgroundPatients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, who are treated with biologics, often need a lifelong therapy and frequent examinations. Some of them receive biologics intravenously (i.v.) in a day care unit.Their satisfaction is an important indicator of quality in health care and is influenced by many yet undetermined nonclinical factors.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to determine the circumstances that have important influence on satisfaction of patients in our day care unit.MethodsPatients treated in the day care unit of the Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia were enrolled from November 2014 to the end of January 2015. 130 questionnaires focusing on environmental adequacy of day care units, privacy during the treatments, organization of day care units, satisfaction with health care and access to phone advice were distributed. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test when appropriate.ResultsOne hundred and nineteen patients treated in our day care unit were included. Their average age was 57 ± 12, 6 years old, 73, 9% of them were women. The most frequently represented rheumatic disease was rheumatoid arthritis (77, 3%), the average disease duration was 14, 7 years. Most patients (41%) were being treated with biological therapy for 3–5 years. Most patients in our day care unit organised their own transport to the hospital (73, 9%), 49, 6% of patients commuted from places which are more than 25 km away. According to our questionnaire suitability of treatment rooms, have only marginal, t statistically unimportant, impact on patient satisfaction (p=0,050). The organization of work in daily hospital, the way of providing information about health condition, future treatment options, privacy during the treatment and possibility of obtaining information by phone all had important influence ob patient satisfaction (all p<0.005). Overcrowded rooms, high environmental temperatures in the summer, long waiting times for the treatment and the absence of the rheumatologist during the treatment in day-care unit all negatively affected patient satisfaction.ConclusionsOur study shows important connections between the level of patient satisfaction and environmental as well as organizational aspects of day care unit treatment. This data provide new opportunities for our day care unit environmental improvements and organizational changes.Disclosure of InterestNone declared