Clinical implications of patients' knowledge.

We evaluated the effectiveness of current strategies for educating patients in routine clinical practice in three related studies. (1) A study of overall knowledge in 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) showed knowledge of diagnosis and treatment effects were high (86% and 83% respectively) but only a minority (37%) were well informed about side effects. (2) Patients' detailed knowledge of drug therapy was assessed in 50 RA and OA patients. Between 56%-92% knew why drugs were given, their use and their likely effects. But many patients were unaware of the main adverse reactions and also how to avoid or limit them. (3) The relationship of patient education to overall disease management was evaluated in 89 RA patients with 5-10 years disease duration using validate guidelines for specialist care. Those patients who had been give inadequate education about drug therapy had a reduced level of overall care. Although education is considered important by patients, it is often inadequate, and this is associated with a less effective overall treatment.