Reducing Opioid Use
Many patients with RA are prescribed opioids to provide chronic pain relief. A study published in May 2019 Arthritis & Rheumatology found chronic opioid use among patients with RA doubled between 2002 and 2015. The study went on to add that patients with severe pain and those who took antidepressants are more likely to become long-term opioid users.4
Robyn Wiesel, MCHES, associate director of public and patient education at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), New York, says health educators work with chronic pain patients, such as those with rheumatic diseases, to explore treatment options other than opioids.
Ms. Wiesel
“We recently completed a study that showed how complementary practices, such as meditation and mindful breathing, can help patients manage their chronic pain and, in some cases, minimize their need for medications such as opioids,” Ms. Wiesel says. “Our study demonstrated that alternative approaches were effective in reducing pain and stress and improving self-management and general well-being.”5
HSS is expanding the program to patients in its rheumatology clinic who use opioids to help with chronic pain.
“As a nonprofit hospital, HSS’s health education programs are open to everyone in the community, whether they are a patient at HSS or not,” Ms. Wiesel says.
Holding Community Education Events
Health educators do more than provide patients with health information, they also study the needs of specific patient populations and design health messages and programs to meet those needs.
Titilayo Ologhobo, MPH, HSS’s associate director of outcomes, uses community surveys and assessments to identify problems and address issues important to HSS patients and community members with musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions.
For example, HSS conducted a survey to identify the muscle, bone and joint health needs of people living in the five boroughs of New York City and nearby suburbs.5 Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis were the most commonly diagnosed conditions among respondents, and falls were also a significant issue.
Ms. Ologhobo
“By understanding the needs of the community, we can identify gaps in care and any health disparities,” says Ms. Ologhobo. “We also build meaningful relationships with community organizations to design programs that offer self-management skills and positive health outcomes.”
Applying the data collected in the survey, HSS implemented health education classes to meet specific community needs, such as therapeutic yoga to provide pain relief, relax sore muscles, ease sore joints and help build strength. Another class, Tai Chi, provides such benefits as improved balance, strength, flexibility and maintenance of bone mass.
