Research axes in therapeutic patient éducation

This article focuses on research in therapeutic education (TPE), especially in rheumatic diseases, and indicates some areas of development. The research in TPE is multidisciplinary. It uses investigation and analysis methods of disciplines from different areas of knowledge: clinical sciences, human sciences and public health, which enlighten the various facets of a relatively complex issue: patient education. The number of studies on TPE continues to increase and to gain in quality. Quantitative methods of research, mobilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of TPE, are gradually being replaced by a more qualitative research, focused on the assessment of its efficiency. Several paths of research in TPE in rheumatic diseases are emerging. The patient, his/her learning, his/her skills, his/her new role within the therapeutic alliance are the main directions. Patient education programs, information technology to make TPE more efficient are other axes. Barriers of any kind to access to TPE programs and the problems linked to their diffusion across the territory should also be studied