• Andrew M H Siu and Dominic Y Y Chui.
• Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. rsandsiu@polyu.edu.hk
• Patient Educ Couns. 2004 Oct 1; 55 (1): 62-9.

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a community rehabilitation service for people with rheumatoid arthritis, provided by the Community Rehabilitation Network (CRN) in Hong Kong. The three-phase community rehabilitation service consists of a number of standardized program elements, including orientation meeting, self-help course, stress management program, water exercises class, as well as informal social and recreational activities. Using a pre-, post-test non-equivalent groups design, the outcomes of 29 clients of the treatment group were compared with 16 clients of the comparison group at baseline and at the end of 9 months, using an 86-item self-completed questionnaire. The treatment group achieved significant more increases in self-efficacy of managing the illness, more increases in self-management behaviors, but no significant increases in the overall health status or health care utilization patterns, when compared with the comparison group.

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