[Scientifically based patient education exemplified by patients with primary systemic vasculitis. The vasculitis patient education program--development, contents and initial results of evaluation].

Referring to the literature, it is known that structured standardized patient education represents an effective additional treatment in patients with chronic diseases. Most programs are based on cognitive behavioral interventions. Within the last few years, an interdisciplinary approach for providing information on disease, therapies, side effects, coping strategies, nutrition and physiotherapy has been developed for patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) in the vasculitis center of the Medical University of Lübeck/Bad Bramstedt. The contents of the seminars were revised and condensed into five modules. New slides and handouts for patients were developed. To evaluate the new form of the program, a documentation system consisting of patient and physician-administered questionnaires assessing socioeconomic, knowledge and disease-related outcome-parameters was designed. Patients are trained in closed groups (n = 10-15) and asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks and 6 months after training. First results show statistically significant improvement of knowledge and health-related quality of life.