| Description |
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic skin condition that imposes a significant cost burden on both affected patients and the healthcare system. It causes itching, rash, sleeplessness, and often pain that can greatly impact quality of life. AD can be effectively managed at home, decreasing the severity of symptoms and its impact on quality of life, granted patients have the knowledge and motivation to manage their disease. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding a comprehensive virtual education module to the care plan of adults with atopic dermatitis. Subjects include adults with an established diagnosis of AD. Recruitment of subjects took place by dermatology healthcare providers in a clinic setting and through social media informatics. Interested subjects were given contact information and screened for eligibility by phone or email. If eligible, they were provided a link to a website that housed the study instructions, informed consent, educational module, and pre/post-module questionnaires. The module was a 25-minute video discussing the pathogenesis, management, treatment options, and prognosis of atopic dermatitis. Module content was reviewed by a content expert. Subjects were asked to complete a pre-module questionnaire, watch the module, then complete a post-module questionnaire. They were asked to repeat the post-module questionnaire 4 weeks later to confirm knowledge comprehension. The study showed that all participating subjects felt there was value in adding the virtual education module to their treatment plan. Participants indicated that their understanding of atopic dermatitis improved and that they will change the way that they manage their AD after viewing the module. Although larger, more expansive studies are indicated to show statistical significance, using a tool such as this could potentially lead to significant improvements in the quality of life of affected patients and reduce the cost burden on them and our healthcare system. |
