Caregiver Preferences and Barriers Toward Accessing Pediatric Dermatology Care for Childhood Atopic Dermatitis.
Emily A Croce, Paul J Rathouz, Fabiana Castro Porto Silva Lopes and 7 others
PMID 35527176WHAT IT FOUND
Most caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis wanted earlier dermatology care.
Many were referred by their primary care provider. Appointment wait was the most reported barrier, though most denied major barriers.
Key findings
0172% of caregivers went to a dermatology specialist because their primary care provider recommended it and sent a referral.
02Most caregivers wished they had been seen sooner by a specialist (36% agreed, 34% strongly agreed).
03Most denied significant barriers, but the most reported barrier was ability to get an appointment quickly (9).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Most participants were recruited from a dermatology clinic, so caregivers with more barriers or less interest in specialty care may be missing. The survey was small and exploratory, and it was not powered to compare race or ethnicity. Of 49 participants who had ever been seen by a specialist, 47 answered the key questions. The survey was given at the end of the visit, so answers may reflect that visit or provider. The study did not measure how care differed or how disease control improved. The type of primary care provider was not asked, so differences across pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are unknown.
Declared interests
The authors reported no relevant conflicts of interest. The paper does not state a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that earlier dermatology referral improves atopic dermatitis control. The caregivers said they wished they had been seen sooner and felt control was better, but the study did not measure disease control or compare outcomes.