Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systemicdisease that mainly affects joints and with symptoms such asstiffness, pain, and increased fatigue. RA also appears to be anindependent risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis withan increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, why national andinternational guidelines recommend proper pharmacologicaltreatment together with a healthy lifestyle (1). Supportingpeople with early RA to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyleis therefore of great importance. However, few studies haveexplored healthcare professionals’ views of working with lifestylemanagement. A healthy lifestyle does not only have the potential tolower cardiovascular risk but may also improve a person’s qualityof life.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals´experiences of lifestyle management in patients with early RA.

Methods: In this explorative qualitative study, individual interviews wereconducted with 20 healthcare professionals who had a mean of 16years of professional experience in the field of working with patientswith RA. An interview guide with open-ended questions was usede.g.: “How do you work with lifestyle changes in patients withRA?“ and “What theories do you use to support lifestyle changes?”Qualitative content analysis was used, where three categoriesemerged: “The importance of a well-functioning organization“,“The importance of teamwork“ and “The importance of personcenteredcare” and nine subcategories, representing the overallcontent of the interviews (table 1).

Results: Healthcare professionals’ experiences of lifestyle managementin patients with early RA included the importance of a wellfunctioningorganization with supportive leadership, priority oflifestyle management, and competence development in lifestylemanagement. The importance of teamwork was emphasizedincluding interdisciplinary team, professional expertise in lifestylehabits, and structured approach to lifestyle management. The healthcare professionals also highlighted the importance of personcenteredcare with individually tailored lifestyle management,shared decision-making, and patient engagement.

Conclusion: Healthcare professionals’ experiences of lifestyle managementin patients with early RA reveal that commitment from both themanagement, the team, and the patient is important.

References: 1. Agca R, Heslinga SC, Rollefstad S, et al. EULAR recommendationsfor cardiovascular disease risk management in patients withrheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory jointdisorders: 2015/2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:17-28.