Evaluation of Nurse-Implemented Self-Management Interventions for Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Arthritis in Bulgaria.

To evaluate the role of nurses in self-management interventions for chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA). Key areas of interest included the following: (1) providing education on self-injection techniques for biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), (2) promoting healthy lifestyles, and (3) supporting mental health. Patients' satisfaction with the care received was also examined. A cross-sectional study involving CIA patients, rheumatologists, and nurses was conducted. Participants assessed nurses' competence in areas such as training for bDMARD self-injection, lifestyle guidance, and emotional support. Satisfaction scores and preferences in managing side effects were also analyzed. The participants expressed high confidence in the nurses' ability to support CIA self-management. The patients rated the nurses significantly higher than doctors in training for self-injection ( = 0.002) and offering guidance on nutrition and healthy habits ( = 0.002). Although it was not a statistically significant difference, the patients also showed stronger trust in the nurses' ability to provide psychological and emotional support. Most patients (93.0%) would contact a rheumatologist in case of side effects; 35.5% would seek a nurse. The patients attended by both a doctor and nurse reported significantly higher satisfaction compared to those seen only by a rheumatologist ( < 0.001). Both the doctors and nurses acknowledged the importance of the nurse-patient relationship for effective care ( = 0.527). The findings highlight the critical role of nurses in patient education-particularly in training for self-injection and promoting a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being. Their involvement is strongly associated with higher patient satisfaction and contributes significantly to the overall effectiveness of care in CIA management.