Experience on the implementation of digital educational strategies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from the Qom community during the pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: During the Pandemic secondary to the Coronavirus Respiratory Disease (COVID-19),
the care of chronic diseases has been relegated. The Latin American Group of Rheumatic Diseases
in Native Peoples (GLADERPO) and the Center for Applied Studies on Sociocultural Problems
(CEAPROS), have worked with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) residing in the city of
Rosario and the Presidente Roque Sáenz Peña (PRSP) for several years, implementing different
educational strategies.

Objective: To describe the experience on the design and implementation of bilingual
audiovisual material using two social networks, intended for RA patients living in Rosario and
PRSP.

Materials and Methods: Qualitative study. Two social networks (Facebook and WhatsApp) were
used for the distribution of bilingual audiovisual material, designed jointly with representatives
of the qom community. Topics were the impact of COVID-19 on RA patients.

Results: A total of 40 patients participated in this study through participation in the
dissemination of the videos. They were repeated twice due to lack of participation. Participation
was less than 50%.

Discussion: Digital educational strategies are not always useful in populations with sociocultural
diversity. Inequalities have always existed and the pandemic has deepened them.