ArticleBMC rheumatology2024
Belonging, happiness, freedom and empowerment-a qualitative study of patients' understanding of health in early rheumatoid arthritis.
Article in BMC rheumatology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Impact Of A Structured Emotional Well-Being Workshop On Psychological Outcomes And Patient Activation In Rheumatoid Arthritis And Spondyloarthritis: A Pilot Study.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- Exploring the self-care experiences of patients with rheumatoid arthritis through qualitative content analysis.Scientific reports · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory joint disease, that influences patients' health in different ways, including physical, social, emotional, and psychological aspects. The goal of rheumatology care is to achieve optimal health and personalised care and therefore, it is essential to understand what health means for patients in the early course of RA. The aim of this study was to describe the understanding of health among patients with early RA.
methodsThe study had a descriptive qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach. Phenomenography is used to analyse, describe, and understand various ways people understand or experience a phenomenon, in this study, patients' understandings of health. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 patients (22 women and nine men, aged (38-80) with early RA, defined as a disease duration of < 1 year, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for 3-7 months. The phenomenographic analysis was conducted in 7 steps, and the outcome space presents the variation in understanding and the interrelation among categories. In accordance with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology's (EULAR) recommendations, a patient research partner participated in all phases of the study.
resultsThe analysis revealed four main descriptive categories: 'Health as belonging' was described as experiencing a sense of coherence. 'Health as happiness' was understood as feeling joy in everyday life. 'Health as freedom' was understood as feeling independent. 'Health as empowerment' was understood as feeling capable. Essential health aspects in early RA are comprised of a sense of coherence, joy, independence, and the capability to manage everyday life.
conclusionsThis study revealed that patients' perception of health in early RA encompasses various facets, including a sense of belonging, happiness, freedom, and empowerment. It highlighted that health is multifaceted and personal, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging this diversity in providing person-centred care. The findings can guide healthcare professionals to deepen patients' participation in treatment goals, which may lead to better treatment adherence and health outcomes.
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