Grant: Undergraduate: Mobility, musculoskeletal health and arthritis - ICS

Over the years, plenty of research has been done on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and patient education, expressive writing and models of coping. However, study of the specific role of hope within patient education programs appears to be limited. Preliminary data collected from the Inflammatory Arthritis Patient Education Program, offered by The Arthritis Program (TAP) at Southlake Regional Health Centre suggested that patients consistently sought to hear hopeful information with respect to their disease and treatment options. This project will explore the relevance of the theme of hope in other chronic diseases patient education programs across the arthritis spectrum. Having this information will help to guide the development of both the content and delivery of these program with the ultimate goal to optimize the treatment of those suffering from the musculoskeletal condition(s).