Patient education programs for childhood atopic dermatitis: who is interested?

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease which causes psychological distress to patients and their families. Patient education programs for childhood AD have positive effects on the severity of the skin disease as well as on psychological variables. So far it has not been determined whether particular patient characteristics lead to being interested in patient education programs. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify exploratory predictors of being interested in patient education programs in parents of children with atopic dermatitis.

Patients and methods: A severity index (SCORAD) as well as questionnaire data were collected from 73 parents of children with AD to measure satisfaction with medical care, quality of life, coping strategies, and the subjective benefit of former treatments as possible predictors.

Results: A regression analysis revealed that besides dissatisfaction with medical care, low social support and high active problem-solving behavior were significant predictors of interest in patient education programs (R(2) = 0.244).

Conclusions: Our study gives a preliminary indication that participation in a patient education program for childhood AD should be offered to parents without sufficient social support, but who would like to gather more information on coping with AD. This could also enhance satisfaction with the medical care provided.