Experts in the UK and India have produced a new educational video to help people of South Asian origin living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) learn about the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that they face.
Dr Kanta Kumar previously led a research team which investigated whether there was a substantial difference in the level of CVD risk knowledge among patients of South Asian origin with RA in India and the UK. This team found that patients of South Asians origin living with RA from both countries had limited knowledge about CVD risk.
South Asians have an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis while living with RA, but there no culturally sensitive interventions in rheumatology practice.
The team has now developed the interactive Hindi-language educational video ‘Meri Sehat, Mere Rules’ (My health, my rules) which spells out the risks and educates, as well as highlighting actions which South Asian RA patients can take to minimise the impact of CVD on them. Importantly, the information is featured within a cultural context.
By working with patient partners, the experts adapted an existing cognitive behavioural patient education intervention offered to patients living with RA. The video is now available to watch on the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) Apni Jung webpages www.nras.org.uk/apnijung – a dedicated online resource for people of South Asian origin.
Project leader Dr Kumar, from the University of Birmingham and funded by Global Pfizer, commented: “Patient education has a significant role to play in reducing the risk of CVD for patients living with RA. There needs to be more interventions that are culturally centred to target the needs of the diverse population.
“The biggest challenge is how to translate intent into action. We believe that our video will help inform the CVD risk and to overcome the cultural barriers that are preventing South Asian patients with RA from learning about the risks posed by CVD – encouraging them to take steps to protect their health.”
The interdisciplinary team comprised of experts from the University of Birmingham; Bellevue Medical Centre, Birmingham, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India; Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Dudley; and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, UK.
