The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of the supportive program for arthritis patients, who are attending a rheumatoid arthritis clinic. To achieve this purpose, this study adopted a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test research design, comparing experimental group with control one. Supportive program was composed of in-depth, 3 times of direct interview and 2 times of advice using telephone for 8 weeks. The object of these interviews and phone was focused on the improvement of patients´ preception for health. During this period, the level of pain, hemato-immunologic indices(ESR, CRP), self-efficacy, depression, and perception for health were measured in both groups. Data were analysed by χ²-test, t-test, repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson´s correlations.
The results were as follows :
1. There were no significant differences in physiological data.
2. The feeling of self-efficacy was significantly increased in experimental group(P= .012).
3. There was no significant differences in depression.
4. The perception for health status was significantly increased in experimental group(P= .002).
Thus, the supportive program, which is focused on the close interpersonal communication, proved to be effective. This result justifies the following suggestion that the role of the nursing professionals in out-patient clinic should be extended for more qualified care for the patients.
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