Developing Nursing Care Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling disease which affects all life domains of the patients, so there is a necessary need for adequate rehabilitation process. The aim of the study was Assessment of nurses' knowledge and performance toward rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and Assessment of nurses' attitude toward rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and method: Correlation research design was utilized to conduct this study. Sample: Convenience sample of all available nurses at the time of the study providing care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (N=40) at the physical medicine and rehabilitation department in the outpatient clinic at Mansoura University Hospital. Data were collected using three tools; first tool included two parts socio demographic characteristics of the studied nurses and assessment of nurses' knowledge about different aspect of rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Second tool was nurse's practice toward rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Third tool was nurse's attitude toward rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. (20.0%) of the studied nurses had satisfied knowledge and all of the studied nurses (100.00%) had an unsatisfied performance in physical, psychological rehabilitation, and health education while (90.0%) of the studied nurses had satisfied attitude. It is recommended to hold continuous educational and orientation program for the newly nursing staff and encourage a high level of self care, follow up, teaching for rheumatoid arthritis and improving health status.