Foot Health Education During Rheumatoid Arthritis: Assessment of Rheumatology Residents' Perceptions

Introduction:Patient education promotes self-management of the disease in general and, concerning foot problems, it is recommended as a key intervention for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Rheumatologists are the main healthcare professionals who manage RA-related foot pathology and provide foot health education (FHE).The Study Aims: Assess rheumatology residents' knowledge and perceptions of rheumatoid foot health education, and to identify the factors associated with variation in responders' knowledge. Materials and Methods:An online survey of 50 rheumatology residents was used to collect data on the aims, methods, content, and barriers of rheumatoid foot health education.Data were analyzed to assess the factors associated with variation in responders' knowledge.Results: A total of 35 residents responded (Response rate: 70%).The majority of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with all the objectives of foot health education.Just 54.3% of respondents provided foot health education for their patients.The majority of respondents agreed with the content of the education.More than half of our respondents (54.3%) felt that they did not know enough about the effect of RA on the feet to be able to provide effective foot health education.Respondents with professional seniority of 2 years or more or with a post-graduate certificate in podology: provided more foot health education to their patients, had sufficient knowledge, and agreed more on the objectives. Conclusion:Lack of time and difficult access to information are perceived as obstacles.The development of rheumatoid foot health education sessions and an audiovisual educational aid could improve patient management.