Limitations in Health-Care System Resources Affecting Adherence of Patient With Psoriasis to Topical Drugs: A Focus Group Study

Mathias Tiedemann Svendsen, Steven R. Feldman, Sylvia Naiga Tiedemann, Anne Sofie Stochholm Sørensen, Cecilie Marie Ringgaard Rivas, Klaus Ejner Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Topical therapy is first-line treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, but low adherence to topical drugs is a barrier to treatment success. Health-care system resources are considered to have an impact on adherence of patient with psoriasis to topical drugs. Objective: To investigate dermatology nurses’ perception of the impact of health-care system resources on topical therapy adherence in patients with psoriasis. Methods: A semistructured focus group study was performed with 6 dermatology nurses and 2 student nurses. Participants were recruited from a dermatology outpatient hospital clinic. The study focused on the dermatology nurses’ perception of the effect health-care system resources (including health-care services provided to patients, how clinics are organized, and how the health-care personnel communicate) have on adherence of patients with psoriasis to topical treatment. The focus group discussion was divided into 3 areas: communication with patients and intercollegial communication, follow-up visits and admissions to consultations by other health-care professions, and how to establish consultations to support adherence of patients with psoriasis to topical drugs. Data were analyzed by a systematic text condensation method based on a phenomenological–hermeneutic approach. Results: Nurses identified a number of health-care system resources that may affect adherence of patients with psoriasis, primarily professional collaboration and communication, continuity of care, and the establishment of nurse consultations. Conclusion: Adherence may by negatively affected by contradictory information about topical drugs due to inadequate interprofessional collaboration among health-care professionals. Improving communication between health-care professionals and patients, ensuring continuity of care, and establishing nurse consultations may improve topical therapy outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Volume5
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)54-60
Number of pages7
ISSN2475-5303
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2020

Keywords

  • adherence
  • health-care delivery research
  • health-care system resources
  • nursing
  • psoriasis
  • topical drugs

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