Background:2020 year has become a landmark for the medical care system around the world. A huge number of patients and doctors were involved in the fight against an unknown and rapidly spreading infection, while many patients with chronic diseases or those who were just planning to see a doctor were left without this opportunity. The consequence was the active development of the online format of patient-doctor communication.Objectives:To determine the value of conducting schools for patients with rheumatologic diseases or related complaints in a pandemic.Methods:On the basis of the Clinical Rheumatology Center of the Medical Association “New Hospital”, online schools were organized for patients with rheumatological diseases and complaints. In just 3 months, 6 schools were held, in which 299 people took part. At the end of each session, patients were asked to answer questions about the level of satisfaction and the value of the information received. The survey was conducted in Google form.Results:about 80% of the responders lived in the region where the schools were held, 20% were from other regions of Russia or other countries. One third of patients (33.9%) were 31-40 years old, a quarter (25%) were 51-60 years old, and every fifth (19.6) was from 61 to 70 years old. The overwhelming majority (61.1%) learned about the training from employees’ announcements or on the website of a medical organization. Interestingly, almost a third of the participants (31.9%) listened to the lecture to “prevent problems in the future” or “for general development,” the rest either get sick themselves or have relatives with these problems. The significance and usefulness of the school on a scale from 0 to 10 points was assessed by 75% participants at 10 points, another 21% from 7 to 9 points, and for 1 participant - by 3 and 4 points. When answering the question: “Will something change in the understanding of your disease or further managing after today’s lesson?” most of the listeners answered that “they are planning to change their lifestyle” (55.4%), a little less - “understands that you need to come to an in-person appointment” (27.4%), “listened due to problems with relatives” (30.4%) and “understands that it is necessary to adjust the treatment” (23.2%). 87.5% of the responders rated the degree of interest with which the teacher led the school at 10 points; all 100% of participants expressed a desire to attend the following events. When comparing the school with television programs or other similar events, 83.9% of people noted a higher level of information importance and 87.5% of accessibility of its presentation. All responders with a high probability were ready to recommend schools to another people (85.7% for 10 points), trust the doctor conducting such schools (94.6% for 10 points) and would turn to this doctor if possible (87.5% for 10 points). Also, all participants actively answered the question about the desired topic of future schools.Conclusion:the conducted evaluation of the online format of schools for patients with rheumatic diseases or complaints has confirmed the high satisfaction of patients with this form of communication, the presence of a certain “request” for such format, clarity and accessibility of the transmitted information. The most important result of the training can be considered the readiness of patients to change their lifestyle and the understanding that it is necessary to observe or consult a doctor.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
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