Conversations on psoriasis--what patients want and what physicians can provide: a qualitative look at patient and physician expectations.

BACKGROUND: The role of the patient-physician relationship is a key issue in the management of lifelong, chronic conditions such as psoriasis, with each side bringing different perspectives.
OBJECTIVE: To explore areas of congruence and disconnection in the relationship between psoriasis patients and dermatologists, with a focus on communication issues.
METHODS: Three discussion group sessions were held in four centers across the United States with dermatologists, patients, and a follow-up of the dermatologists after watching the patient discussion.
RESULTS: Patients want more information on psoriasis, fast treatments, clear expectations from the onset of therapy, and recognition of the emotional burden. Dermatologists found that patients do not receive or internalize adequate information and need further explanation of treatment regimens to increase compliance and patient satisfaction. LIMITATIONS: This was a qualitative study assessing the range of responses and was not a quantitative study designed to test specific hypotheses. The study may not be informative about the experiences of people with psoriasis not actively seeing a physician.
CONCLUSIONS: Encounters between physicians and psoriasis patients can be enhanced by providing information on what psoriasis is, choosing fast-acting treatments that patients are willing to use, and providing written materials about the disease and treatment plan.