Patients' educational needs about topical treatments for psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Topical medications are a mainstay of psoriasis treatment. Many patients lack education about topicals. This may contribute to low adherence with long-term disease management.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to describe educational needs concerning topical treatment for patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
Patients' questions regarding topical therapy were collected from a National Psoriasis Foundation webcast on topical medications. The prebroadcast question responses and the postwebcast survey responses were categorized into common themes and ranked by frequency.


RESULTS
Thirty percent asked about side effects, with a major emphasis on topical steroids; 16% asked about proper use; and 11% asked about efficacy. Popular new and useful education concerned specific medication facts and information on medication (especially steroid) safety, the need for treatment adherence, and the variety of options available in topical form.


CONCLUSIONS
The study population consisted of online users expressing interest in the National Psoriasis Foundation educational material, not the general population of patients with psoriasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient needs can be better met by providing information regarding side effects, proper use, and efficacy of topical medications. Communication regarding treatment changes and adherence to the treatment regimen should also occur.
University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Sabrina L
SL
Martin
Suzanne T
ST
McGoey
Bruce F
BF
Bebo
Steven R
SR
Feldman
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D057211:Webcasts as Topic
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones