Remote Arthritis Monitoring: ( R.A.M.)

Background The internet has several advantages over traditional communication media. Use of internet-based technology has great potential for improving patient care, system efficiency, and saving time and money. Aims 1) To... [ view full abstract ]

Background
The internet has several advantages over traditional communication media. Use of internet-based technology has great potential for improving patient care, system efficiency, and saving time and money.

Aims
1) To assess the effectiveness of a novel internet platform for teaching patients self-injection with Humira®.
2) To evaluate the effectiveness of a bespoke internet platform for monitoring patients’ response to treatment.

Methods
The study was approved by the local IRB board and all participants gave written informed consent. Patients initiating Humira treatment for inflammatory arthritis were screened and treated per usual care, and then offered a choice of normal referral to an outreach nurse programme sponsored by Abbvie, or a bespoke internet-based teaching programme with our own nurse specialist (Ms. G.M.) using bespoke software, hardware and technical support from Netcare Wellness developed specifically for this project.

Results
16 patients agreed to participate:12 females and 4 males with the following diagnoses: 9 RA, 4 AS, 3 PsA.
8 patients were taught self-injection using this techology and were satisifed with their care, and technique.
14 completed the monitoring project.
Compliance with monitoring was good or excellent with for ¾ of patients.

Conclusions
Use of a bespoke specialty-backed internet-based technology can be used to teach patients self-injection with biologic therapies and monitor their disease activity. This has the potential to improve their care and warrants further study.