title: Therapeutic patient education in atopic dermatitis: worldwide experiences.
abstract: Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has proven effective in increasing treatment adherence and improving quality of life (QoL) for patients with numerous chronic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis (AD). This study was undertaken to identify worldwide TPE experiences in AD treatment. Experts from 23 hospitals, located in 11 countries, responded to a questionnaire on 10 major items. Patients in TPE programs were mainly children and adolescents with moderate to severe AD or markedly affected QoL. Individual and collective approaches were used. Depending on the center, the number of sessions varied from one to six (corresponding to 2 to 12 hours of education), and 20 to 200 patients were followed each year. Each center's education team comprised multidisciplinary professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, psychologists). Evaluations were based on clinical assessment, QoL, a satisfaction index, or some combination of the three. When funding was obtained, it came from regional health authorities (France), insurance companies (Germany), donations (United States), or pharmaceutical firms (Japan, Italy). The role of patient associations was always highlighted, but their involvement in the TPE process varied from one country to another. Despite the nonexhaustive approach, our findings demonstrate the increasing interest in TPE for managing individuals with AD. In spite of the cultural and financial differences between countries, there is a consensus among experts to integrate education into the treatment of eczema.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France. jfstalder@mac.com
authors: Jean-Francois
authors: JF
authors: Stalder
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Bernier
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Ball
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: De Raeve
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Gieler
authors: Mette
authors: M
authors: Deleuran
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Marcoux
authors: Lawrence F
authors: LF
authors: Eichenfield
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Lio
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Lewis-Jones
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Gelmetti
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Takaoka
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Chiaverini
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Misery
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Barbarot
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D032921:Consensus; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D004485:Eczema / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014943:Global Health; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires