FROM RESEARCH TO PRACTICE - THE EFFECTS OF THE JOINTLY SPONSORED DISSEMINATION OF AN ARTHRITIS SELF-CARE NURSING INTERVENTION

Various educational programs have been developed and found to be effective in the self-management of arthritis. This study reexamined the effectiveness of one such program, ''Bone Up On Arthritis'' (BUOA), when the program was delivered by a community-based service organization to a sample of persons (N = 154) who differed widely in disease type and demographic characteristics. Arthritis Foundation staff implemented BUOA at four national sites; data were collected and analyzed by University of Michigan nurse researchers. Investigators found improved scores on all outcome measures (self-care behavior, helplessness, pain, dysfunction, and depression). These findings suggest that ''Bone Up'' is an effective nursing intervention in multiple organizational and community environments and for diverse patient populations. (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company.