Remote Monitoring of Psoriasis: Comparing Care Models and Evaluating Quality of Life Outcomes: Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• Remote monitoring and teledermatology (TD) are increasingly adopted for psoriasis care.
• Evidence supports specialist-led remote monitoring, but its effectiveness in primary care is under-researched.
• A pilot program compared remote monitoring in primary and specialist care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of remote psoriasis monitoring in primary versus specialist care.
• To identify factors associated with improved outcomes in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective mixed methods analysis of 110 patients in a reimbursed remote monitoring program.
• Data from public insurance claims and a TD platform (including Dermatology Life Quality Index - DLQI).
• Comparison of DLQI changes between primary and specialist care, with correlation analysis for outcome predictors.

Main Results:

• Specialist care showed a significant DLQI reduction (-1.33, P=.01), while primary care showed a nonsignificant change (-0.34, P=.36).
• Patients in specialist care were 3.91 times more likely to achieve clinically significant improvement (P=.04).
• Collaborative care between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists correlated with better DLQI changes in primary care (r=-0.339, P=.04).

Conclusions:

• Remote psoriasis monitoring is effective in specialist care but not primary care.
• Integrating specialist support into PCP-led care via e-consultations may enhance outcomes.
• Further research is needed for standardized collaborative care models in remote psoriasis management.