Nurses In Rheumatoid Arthritis Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that significantly impacts the quality of life, requiring a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach for effective management. Nurses play a pivotal role in this approach, contributing to patient education, symptom management, emotional support, and care coordination. Their expertise bridges the gap between medical treatment and holistic patient care, ensuring a higher quality of life for individuals living with RA.
Nurses are central to educating patients about the disease process, treatment options, and self-management strategies, such as medication adherence, physical activity, and symptom monitoring. They also provide critical support in managing physical symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and joint dysfunction, through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. In addition, nurses address the emotional and psychological burden of RA, offering counseling and promoting access to support networks.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, nurses facilitate communication among healthcare providers, advocate for patients, and promote adherence to treatment plans. Their role extends to long-term monitoring and lifestyle modification, including tracking disease activity and encouraging healthy behaviors. Despite facing challenges such as resource constraints, patient adherence issues, and the emotional toll of caregiving, nurses remain indispensable in RA care.