LAUSR

Background: Biologic therapies are commonly prescribed in a range of rheumatic conditions. From 2016 - 2018, a mean of 226 rheumatology outpatients at UCLH commenced biologic therapy per year for inflammatory arthritis alone1. Patient education is required prior to initiation. At UCLH this is delivered via individual appointments with specialist nurses, contributing to waiting times for nurse appointments and thus delays in starting treatment. Objectives: 1.To evaluate patient satisfaction following group education. 2.To reduce the burden on specialist nurses delivering multiple individual sessions. Methods: A once-weekly group education service was set up at UCLH. This comprised: an oral PowerPoint presentation; injection demonstration; question and answer session; and written leaflets. Patients were provided with pre- and post-session questionnaires to evaluate the service. Results: Over the first five weeks of the service, 18 patients attended group education (a median of 4 patients per session). Nine patients (50%) had previously researched the medication via internet search engines. Patients’ questions prior to the session were most commonly centred on side effects and long-term risks. All of the patients (100%) felt that “most or all” of their questions were answered during the session. Patients gave their awareness of the reason for therapy a median score of 7/10 pre-education; this rose to a median of 10/10 post-education. The median score given for confidence to self-administer the drug was 5.5/10 pre-education; this rose to a median of 10/10 post-education. The median anxiety score was 3/5 pre-education; this dropped to 2/5 post-education. The presentation was adapted based on questions that arose during the sessions. Multiple patients gave informal, verbal feedback stating that they found the group environment to be beneficial, providing a chance to meet others with similar conditions, share experiences and feel reassured that they are not alone in starting biologic therapy. Conclusion: Patient feedback demonstrated that the group education sessions at UCLH were effective in improving their understanding of the rationale for biologic treatment, increasing their confidence in self-administration, and reducing anxiety. Verbal feedback illustrated that many patients enjoyed the group environment, and the opportunity to interact and share experiences with others. At an average rate of 4 patients currently being seen a week, it is estimated that this will save 192 specialist nurse appointments per year (out of an estimated 226 commencing biologic therapy). There is scope for further research into the effects that this has had on waiting times to receive education / start treatment, and on drug compliance. References: [1]Greenwood, Mandy. UCLH Rheumatology Database. UCLH, 2020. Disclosure of Interests: None declared