Caring for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Community
This article highlights the importance of early diagnosis, discusses current therapeutic recommendations for managing pain and achieving remission, and describes RNs’ role in caring for these patients in the community.
Course Details
Overview
A debilitating disease marked by swelling, tenderness, and synovial joint destruction, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to severe functional disability and poor quality of life, imposing substantial burdens on patients and their caregivers.
What’s more, the disease is linked to systemic comorbidities, such as cancer, infections, and cardiovascular and mental health conditions. These comorbidities increase mortality and shorten life expectancy.
This article highlights the importance of early diagnosis, discusses current therapeutic recommendations for managing pain and achieving remission, and describes RNs’ role in caring for these patients in the community.
Location Details
Presented By
Adeline Chu, PhD, MEd, RN
Dr. Chu is an assistant professor of nursing in the School of Health Sciences at Seattle Pacific University and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Bernard Ng, MBBS, MSc, FRCP, FACP
Mr. Ng is chief of the Rheumatology Section at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle and an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
