P103 Evaluation of an online learning module from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society to support the self-management of pain and flares in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background/Aims Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have chronic pain and arthritis flares. Supporting their self-management of these disease impacts is therefore crucial to improving their quality of life. To address this, the National RA Society (NRAS) co-developed an online learning module for people with RA on managing pain and flares (embedded in their “SMILE-RA” e-learning programme) in collaboration with the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust multidisciplinary rheumatology team. The aim of this service evaluation was to assess patients’ knowledge and confidence at self-managing arthritis pain and flares pre- and post-module completion. It also examined the burden of pain on patients’ lives/the extent to which patients used module suggestions. Methods The module was launched in September 2021. A survey was sent via email in March 2024 (available until May 2024) to the 500 people completing the module consenting to contact for feedback. Survey questions covered: (1) demographics; (2) pain experience/management; (3) knowledge/confidence on managing pain/flares (Likert-type responses); (4) likelihood of trying module suggestions (Likert-type responses); (5) free-text feedback. Descriptive statistics summarised survey responses as proportions/means (with standard deviations [SD]) as appropriate. Fisher’s exact tests compared Likert-type responses for knowledge and confidence pre-/post-module. Results Demographic/Arthritis Characteristics: 134 patients completed the survey (27% response rate). 95% reported having RA (5% reported other inflammatory arthritis types). Most (63%) were aged 61-80 years and female (83%). Pain Experience/Management: 98% experienced pain in the past 3 months, present “every/most days” in 63%. Approximately one-third (36%) reported “high impact” chronic pain. Of those with pain in the past 3 months, 87% used analgesics in the last month. Many found non-drug pain care helpful, particularly heat therapy (64%) and exercise (61%). Knowledge/Confidence: The proportion rating themselves “very/fairly/somewhat” knowledgeable at managing pain rose from 62% pre-module to 95% post-module (P = 0.01) and for managing flares from 52% pre-module to 93% post-module (P<0.01). For confidence at managing pain, the proportion rating themselves “very/fairly/somewhat” confident rose from 50% pre-module to 90% post-module (P<0.01) and for managing flares from 44% pre-module to 90% post-module (P<0.01). Using Module Suggestions: 79% and 78% reported they were “very likely/likely/fairly likely” to try module suggestions to manage their pain and flares, respectively. Free-Text Feedback: Key themes were increasing knowledge (e.g. “This is really useful because I don’t feel the NHS gave me enough information and I need something I can trust on the internet”) and self-management (e.g. “It made me feel confident that I could manage on-going problems and flares and rely less on medication”). Conclusion This service evaluation highlights the impact of chronic pain on the lives of people with RA and demonstrates the benefits of this multidisciplinary team-developed online educational resource at improving patient’s knowledge and confidence to self-manage pain and flares. Disclosure I.C. Scott: Grants/research support; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Advanced Research Fellowship [NIHR300826]. S. Ryan: None. G. Levey: None. M.J. Thomas: Grants/research support; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)/Versus Arthritis. S. Hider: Honoraria; SH has received payment for lecture fees from UCB. A. Bosworth: None.

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