Arthritis and rehabilitation: developments in the nurse's role.

This article is the third in a series concerned with the nurse's role in rehabilitation dealing with both individuals and their family carers facing the challenges posed by a number of chronic conditions. This article focuses on arthritis. Following the format of earlier articles attention is first turned to patients' experiences of arthritis. This is then followed by consideration of a range of psychosocial interventions. It is suggested that the nurse's role in arthritis care is reasonably well established; however, further developments, particularly in the community, are briefly explored.