Patient education in rheumatology.

Patient education programs in rheumatology are emerging as important therapeutic interventions. The current evidence for their efficacy, economic benefits, and underlying causal mechanisms is discussed. Current meta-analytic studies suggest that patient education can affect knowledge, pain, joint counts, depression, exercise, and coping behaviors. Evidence is presented suggesting that self-efficacy and social support are strong underlying causal mechanisms. Although studies of the economic impact of patient education are still scant, most that exist indicate that the programs evaluated tended to reduce health care service utilization. An example of a complex cost-effectiveness study is discussed.