Published online Oct 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i28.8413
Peer-review started: March 22, 2021
First decision: May 11, 2021
Revised: May 12, 2021
Accepted: August 16, 2021
Article in press: August 16, 2021
Published online: October 6, 2021
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease that requires long-term care, and nursing education for family caregivers is considered as a workable and effective intervention.
The effectiveness of care education for family caregivers of patients with RA has not been reported.
This study aimed to explore whether family caregiver nursing education (FCNE) works on patients with RA and the factors that influence FCNE.
In this study, we designed a health education program called FCNE, a series of professional training courses for family caregivers that focused on care techniques of RA patients and main points of RA-related knowledge. The FCNE intervention was administered to caregivers, and inflammation level indicators, disease activity indicators and mood disorder indicators of patients were followed up and analyzed.
Indicators were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. The intervention group showed significant differences in stratification of relationship, education duration and age.
The effect of FCNE on RA is multifaceted, weakening inflammation level, alleviating disease activity and relieving mood disorder. Relationship between caregiver and patient, caregiver’s education level and patient’s age may act as impact factors of FCNE.
This study indicates that FCNE is feasible and efficient for patients with RA. It also suggests priorities for FCNE participants, such as giving preference to spouses or caregivers with high education level as they are likely to have better intervention outcomes.