Lisa L Farrugia1, Andrew Lee1,2, Gayle Fischer1,2,3, Alex Blaszczynski4, Stephen R Carter5, Saxon D Smith1,2,6. 1. a Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 2. b Department of Dermatology , Royal North Shore Hospital , St. Leonards , Australia. 3. c Centre for Vulvovaginal Health and Northern Paediatric Dermatology , North Shore Private Hospital , St. Leonards , Australia. 4. d School of Psychology , University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 5. e Faculty of Pharmacy , University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 6. f The Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centre , Gosford , Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess pharmacist and general practitioner (GP) advice and behaviors, as related to and reported by patients and parents of patients using topical corticosteroids (TCS) on a long-term basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged 18+) and parents of pediatric patients (aged <18) with a history of long-term (≥1 month) TCS use, assessing: TCS treatment adherence and reasons for non-adherence; beliefs regarding TCS use and safety; messages regarding TCS received from community pharmacists, GPs, family/friends and the Internet; and experiences of GP and pharmacist counseling regarding TCS use. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey (n = 201). 76.6% of respondents reported consistently ("Often" or "Always") receiving one or more message(s) regarding TCS "risk" from a GP and/or pharmacist (n = 192). Respondents reported being told to "try natural or complementary and alternative therapies before resorting to the use of TCS" significantly more often by pharmacists than by GPs (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of consistently delivered messages about TCS "risk" from GPs and pharmacists affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety and may lead to treatment non-adherence. This indicates a need for reeducation of these groups on the safety of TCS use.
PURPOSE: To assess pharmacist and general practitioner (GP) advice and behaviors, as related to and reported by patients and parents of patients using topical corticosteroids (TCS) on a long-term basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged 18+) and parents of pediatric patients (aged <18) with a history of long-term (≥1 month) TCS use, assessing: TCS treatment adherence and reasons for non-adherence; beliefs regarding TCS use and safety; messages regarding TCS received from community pharmacists, GPs, family/friends and the Internet; and experiences of GP and pharmacist counseling regarding TCS use. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey (n = 201). 76.6% of respondents reported consistently ("Often" or "Always") receiving one or more message(s) regarding TCS "risk" from a GP and/or pharmacist (n = 192). Respondents reported being told to "try natural or complementary and alternative therapies before resorting to the use of TCS" significantly more often by pharmacists than by GPs (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of consistently delivered messages about TCS "risk" from GPs and pharmacists affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety and may lead to treatment non-adherence. This indicates a need for reeducation of these groups on the safety of TCS use.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adherence; general practitioner; pharmacist; topical corticosteroid
Authors: Karlijn F van Halewijn; Tessa Warendorff; Arthur M Bohnen; Mario Veen; Suzanne G M A Pasmans; Patrick J E Bindels; Gijs Elshout Journal: Skin Health Dis Date: 2022-07-06
Authors: Aviël Ragamin; Renske Schappin; Willemijn C A M Witkam; Magda Spiering; Elodie Mendels; Marie L A Schuttelaar; Suzanne G M A Pasmans Journal: Skin Health Dis Date: 2022-07-20