Aviël Ragamin, Karlijn F van Halewijn, Renske Schappin, Willemijn C A M Witkam, Nicolette J T Arends, Jaap Hoogeterp, Arthur M Bohnen, Gijs Elshout, Marie L A Schuttelaar, Suzanne G M A Pasmans
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Various healthcare professionals (HCPs) deliver care for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Although pivotal, management strategies and the relation with corticophobia among HCPs have not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate management strategies for AD and its relation with corticophobia among HCPs.
Methods: Dutch general practitioners (GPs), youth healthcare physicians (YHPs), pediatricians, dermatologists, pharmacists, and pharmacy assistants participated in a survey on management strategies and corticophobia. The Topical Corticosteroid Phobia questionnaire for professionals (TOPICOP-P) was used to measure attitudes toward topical corticosteroids (TCSs). Higher scores reflect a more negative attitude.
Results: A total of 407 HCPs (124 GPs, 33 YHPs, 51 pediatricians, 56 dermatologists, 58 pharmacists, and 85 pharmacy assistants) participated. Compared to dermatologists, other HCPs showed greater reluctance to TCS. This difference was highlighted by the finding that half of GPs reported to prescribed only TCS of mild potency for infants with severe AD, while few dermatologists (9%) reported a similar approach. Dermatologists had lowest TOPICOP-P scores (median: 19, IQR: 12-28). GPs and pharmacy assistants had highest scores (GPs median: 36, IQR: 31-44, pharmacy assistants: median: 36, IQR: 31-42). More corticophobia was significantly associated with prescription of a lower TC potency class in prescribing HCPs (B -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.01, p = 0.01), and a trend was found between more corticophobia and longer perceived durability of one TCS tube.
Conclusions: This study shows the differences in management of AD and reluctance toward TCS in HCPs. Furthermore, corticophobia among HCPs and its influence on the selection of TCS potency class and recommendations were demonstrated. To reduce corticophobia and improve care for AD, more education is needed.
期刊介绍:
Published since 1893, ''Dermatology'' provides a worldwide survey of clinical and investigative dermatology. Original papers report clinical and laboratory findings. In order to inform readers of the implications of recent research, editorials and reviews prepared by invited, internationally recognized scientists are regularly featured. In addition to original papers, the journal publishes rapid communications, short communications, and letters to ''Dermatology''. ''Dermatology'' answers the complete information needs of practitioners concerned with progress in research related to skin, clinical dermatology and therapy. The journal enjoys a high scientific reputation with a continually increasing impact factor and an equally high circulation.