AB1776-HPR REVMAMAS – A PODCAST FOR PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASE WHO ARE PLANNING A PREGNANCY OR ARE PREGNANT

Abstract

BackgroundA survey distributed by patient organisations in rheumatology in 2019 have uncovered an unmet need for high quality and accessible patient information on pregnancy and rheumatic diseases. Previous publications have presented the same results (1, 2). During the pandemic, we have seen a shift from healthcare with physical consultations to digital follow-up of the inflammatory rheumatic disease.The Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases (NKSR) primary task is to spread updated knowledge, including patient information, regarding different aspects of pregnancy and rheumatic diseases. To reach out to the target population in this digital era, NKSR have started using social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, in addition to YouTube to spread patient information. As a natural next step we wanted to establish a podcast on different topics related to pregnancy and rheumatic diseases so patients and partners could have easy access to high quality reliable information at all times and for all of Norway.ObjectivesTo develop a podcast with different topics related to pregnancy and rheumatic diseases. The podcast is primary aimed at people with inflammatory rheumatic disease and their partners, but is also relevant for healthcare professionals.MethodsBased on webinars published on YouTube from NKSR during the pandemic, we edited and published six podcast episodes. We had help from the department of communications to adjust the podcast for publication. We chose a platform for podcasts without fees and easy access to make sure it was available for everyone.ResultsWe published six podcast episodes as season one. A multidisciplinary team with rheumatologist, nurse, midwife, patient representatives, partner and occupational therapist participated in the podcast. The episodes have the following topics: Planning a pregnancy, preparing for birth, patient experience, fatigue and everyday activities with small children, partners perspective and men and anti-rheumatic medications. The episodes lasts from 16 to 27 minutes. The podcast is available on the most used platforms for podcast listeners in Norway. We used NKSR platforms in social media to spread the word about the podcast.ConclusionUsing podcast as a platform to spread high quality and knowledge based patient information can be effective to increase accessibility of patient information. The episodes are available on demand, regardless of where you live. People with rheumatism can stream the short episodes whenever convenient, for example in the car, one the buss to work, when walking the dog or when doing chores. Planning of season two has already begun.