Nursing Knowledge and Skills in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Multi-Centre Exploratory Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nursing Education

Background:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a prevalent, under-treated chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 0.40-2% of the population.
• Nurses' expertise in wound care is established, yet their specific knowledge and skills in managing HS lesions remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess primary care nurses' knowledge and skills concerning hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
• To identify areas where nurses require enhanced training and competence development for effective HS management.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre, exploratory, cross-sectional study conducted in 2021-2022 across seven healthcare areas in N-W Spain.
• A piloted questionnaire assessed four dimensions of knowledge and skills, alongside sociodemographic data, from 211 participating primary care nurses.

Main Results:

• Participants scored below 5 out of 10 on average across all assessed dimensions.
• The highest average score, though still below 5/10, was observed in the Diagnosis and Clinical Course dimension (M = 4.59).
• Older age was positively correlated with increased knowledge in the Diagnosis and Clinical Course dimension (rho = 0.196, p = 0.006).

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore a significant gap in primary care nurses' current knowledge and skills for managing hidradenitis suppurativa.
• There is a critical need for evidence-based, continuous training programs focused on HS detection and management.
• Improved nursing competence in HS care is essential to mitigate the disease's impact on patients' quality of life.