I Zschocke1, U Hammelmann, M Augustin. 1. IFKS, Institut für Forschungsmanagement und klinische Studien, Freiburg. zschocke@ifks-biometrie.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The patient's opinion has received only little consideration in current health-political discussions so far. This study examines the question of agreement between physicians and patients regarding their expectations of therapy and evaluation of its' usefulness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 133 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n=73) or atopic dermatitis (n=60) as well as medical personnel (n= 119) were assessed concerning the priority of therapy goals by means of a specially-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: There was overall agreement on the definition of therapy goals in the improvement of clinical symptoms and the importance of side effects between medical personnel and patients. Psychological distress and social improvements were clearly overrated by the medical staff, whereas the need for less therapeutic expenditure was clearly underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: The conventional evaluation of drugs and therapies covers the effectiveness and the side effects, topics about which patients and physicians are in general accordance. As far as further evaluation criteria are concerned, discussions should reflect the patient's opinion's, since it cannot be assumed that their perspective is adequately represented by physicians.
BACKGROUND: The patient's opinion has received only little consideration in current health-political discussions so far. This study examines the question of agreement between physicians and patients regarding their expectations of therapy and evaluation of its' usefulness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 133 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n=73) or atopic dermatitis (n=60) as well as medical personnel (n= 119) were assessed concerning the priority of therapy goals by means of a specially-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: There was overall agreement on the definition of therapy goals in the improvement of clinical symptoms and the importance of side effects between medical personnel and patients. Psychological distress and social improvements were clearly overrated by the medical staff, whereas the need for less therapeutic expenditure was clearly underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: The conventional evaluation of drugs and therapies covers the effectiveness and the side effects, topics about which patients and physicians are in general accordance. As far as further evaluation criteria are concerned, discussions should reflect the patient's opinion's, since it cannot be assumed that their perspective is adequately represented by physicians.
Authors: G G Krueger; S R Feldman; C Camisa; M Duvic; J T Elder; A B Gottlieb; J Koo; J G Krueger; M Lebwohl; N Lowe; A Menter; W L Morison; J H Prystowsky; J L Shupack; J R Taylor; G D Weinstein; T L Barton; T Rolstad; R M Day Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2000-08 Impact factor: 11.527