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BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT article

Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Rheumatology
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fped.2024.1479857
This article is part of the Research Topic Promoting Patient-Centered Care for Pediatric Rheumatology Across Africa View all 3 articles

"Breaking Barriers: Empowering African Youth through Implementation of a Therapeutic Patient Education Program for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis"

Provisionally accepted
Wafa Hamdi Wafa Hamdi 1*Angela Migowa Angela Migowa 2Hanene Lassoued Ferjani Hanene Lassoued Ferjani 1Alia Fazaa Alia Fazaa 3Ayodele Faleye Ayodele Faleye 4Saoussen Miladi Saoussen Miladi 3Kaouther Maatallah Kaouther Maatallah 1kawther ben abdelghani kawther ben abdelghani 3
  • 1 Department of Rheumatology Kassab Institute UR17SP04, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
  • 2 Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Medical College East Africa, nairobi, Kenya
  • 3 Department of Rheumatology, Tunis, Tunisia - Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Hôpital Mongi Slim, La Marsa, Tunisia
  • 4 : Paediatric rheumatology unit, Department of Paediatrics, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja,, Lagos MiND, Lagos state, Nigeria

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Patient education is crucial in managing chronic diseases like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Traditional methods such as videos and brochures often fail to maintain long-term knowledge retention. Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) offers a more effective, patient-centered approach. Objective: PAFLAR aimed to implement a TPE program with a "train the trainers" masterclass to ensure effective delivery and improve outcomes for children with JIA. Methods: PAFLAR's TPE program was designed through a focus group, involving a literature review and strategic planning for the implementation step. The program includes specialized training for healthcare professionals enhancing their abilities to deliver TPE workshops. Participants were selected based on volunteerism and commitment to the project. Evaluations were conducted through feedback assessment of both patients and participants. Results: PAFLAR launched a TPE program in 2023, aimed at training healthcare providers to implement TPE effectively. This initiative included both in-person and virtual masterclasses, resulting in five workshops conducted in Kenya, Tunisia, and Nigeria. These workshops covered various aspects of JIA management, such as patient and family education, self-esteem, physical activity, treatment adherence, and pain management. Early results showed significant improvements in patients' and parents' understanding and management of JIA, with positive feedback indicating a need for further sessions. Conclusion: PAFLAR has taken the initial step in implementing a TPE program for JIA across three countries, representing different regions of Africa. The TPE program offers a promising alternative to traditional patient education methods, significantly improving patient care, empowering healthcare providers, and advancing healthcare systems.

    Keywords: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, patient centered care, Therapeutic patient education, disease self-management, Train the trainers

    Received: 12 Aug 2024; Accepted: 04 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Hamdi, Migowa, Lassoued Ferjani, Fazaa, Faleye, Miladi, Maatallah and ben abdelghani. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Wafa Hamdi, Department of Rheumatology Kassab Institute UR17SP04, Faculty of Medicine, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.