Experience and perceptions among rheumatoid arthritis patients following a telehealth‑delivered dietary intervention: a qualitative study

The efects of dietary modifcations have been assessed in people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with consistent benefts reported from clinical trials. However, the lived experience of making and sustaining positive dietary changes for people with RA remains unknown. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adults with RA and their perceptions of a 12-week telehealth-delivered dietary intervention and to assess the acceptability of the programme. Qualitative data was collected via four online focus groups with participants who had just completed a 12-week dietary intervention programme delivered through telehealth methods. Thematic analysis was used to code and summarize the identifed key themes. Twenty-one adults with RA (47.5±12.3 years, 90.5% females) were included in this qualitative study. Overarching themes included: (a) motivation to join the programme, (b) benefts of the programme, (c) factors infuencing adherence to dietary prescription, and (d) advantages and disadvantages of telehealth. The study demonstrated that a dietary intervention delivered through telehealth methods by a Registered Dietitian (RD) appears to be well-accepted and may be used to complement face-to-face care for people with RA. The identifed factors infuencing the adoption of a healthier eating pattern will aid in the development of future dietary interventions for a RA population.