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Published on: September 26, 2019
Potential barriers to adherence in pediatric dermatology
Rachel M Ellis1, Laine H Koch, Erin McGuire
1Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. ellisrm@evms.edu
Insights
Caregivers find medication cost and safety concerning for children with chronic inflammatory skin diseases like atopic dermatitis. Understanding the long-term nature of these skin conditions is also a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Dermatology
- Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory skin diseases significantly impact children's quality of life.
- Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne vulgaris are common conditions requiring long-term management.
- Identifying treatment barriers is crucial for improving patient adherence and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers to treatment adherence in pediatric patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
- To assess caregiver perspectives on treatment complexity, time, cost, formulation, safety, and understanding of chronicity.
- To inform strategies for better management of pediatric skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 101 pediatric patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
- Caregivers completed an 11-item Likert scale questionnaire.
- The survey assessed perceptions of treatment complexity, time, medication cost, vehicle formulation, safety, and understanding of disease chronicity.
Main Results:
- Caregivers reported adequate instructions but felt less confident during severe disease flares.
- Treatment complexity, time, and vehicle type were not major barriers.
- Significant concerns were raised regarding medication cost and perceived safety.
- Caregivers demonstrated a limited understanding of the chronic nature of these skin disorders.
Conclusions:
- Medication cost and safety are key concerns for caregivers managing pediatric chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
- Improving caregiver understanding of disease chronicity is essential for effective long-term management.
- Addressing financial and safety concerns may enhance treatment adherence in pediatric dermatology.
Abstract:
This study sought to identify barriers to treatment in children with chronic inflammatory skin disease, particularly those with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne vulgaris. Caregivers of 101 patients seen in the Children's Specialty Group Division of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia, completed an 11-item Likert scale questionnaire. This survey addressed complexity and time requirements for treatment, medication cost, vehicle formulation, perceived safety, and caregiver understanding of chronicity of skin disorders. Parents and caregivers indicated that adequate instructions for using the medications were provided but that they felt less comfortable with treating their child's skin disease during a severe flare. The complexity of treatment programs, time required to apply medications, and vehicle type were not considered prohibitive factors. Caregivers were concerned about the cost and safety of prescribed medications and had a less understanding of the chronicity of inflammatory skin disorders.
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Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...

