Improving Patch Test Interpretation in Skin of Color: Development and Evaluation of an Asynchronous Educational...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Patch testing is crucial for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis but presents interpretation challenges in patients with skin of color (SOC).
• Positive patch test reactions can manifest differently in SOC, potentially leading to diagnostic gaps due to limited specialized training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess an online educational module aimed at enhancing healthcare providers' ability to recognize and interpret patch test reactions in SOC.
• The module focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy for allergic contact dermatitis in diverse patient populations.

Main Methods:

• An asynchronous, web-based educational module was created using clinical photographs across Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI.
• The module covered reaction grading, SOC-specific features, interpretation strategies, and relevant allergens, followed by pre- and post-intervention surveys for 40 healthcare providers.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in overall confidence and confidence specific to SOC patch test interpretation were observed.
• Recognition of SOC-specific erythema and reaction patterns improved by over 20 percentage points, with substantial knowledge gains regarding population-specific allergens.
• Participants found the educational materials highly beneficial.

Conclusions:

• The developed educational intervention effectively improved healthcare provider confidence and accuracy in interpreting patch tests for patients with SOC.
• Targeted training is valuable for reducing diagnostic disparities and improving dermatological care for diverse populations.