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A service evaluation of the E czema E ducation P rogramme: an analysis of child, parent and service impact outcomes
Author(s) -
Ersser S.J.,
Farasat H.,
Jackson K.,
Dennis H.,
Sheppard Z.A.,
More A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12414
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , attendance , intervention (counseling) , dermatology life quality index , randomized controlled trial , service (business) , family medicine , clinical psychology , disease , pediatrics , gerontology , nursing , surgery , economy , pathology , economics , economic growth
Summary Background The systematic support of parents of children with eczema is essential in effective disease management. The few existing support models have a limited evidence base. This paper reports the outcome‐orientated service evaluation of an original, extensive, social learning‐theory based, nurse‐led E czema E ducation P rogramme ( EEP ). Objectives To evaluate the EEP using specified child and parental outcomes and service impact data. Methods From a sample of 257 parent–child dyads attending the EEP , a pretest–post‐test design evaluated its child impact using health‐related quality of life measures ( I nfants' D ermatitis Q uality of L ife index, which includes a small dermatitis severity element, and C hildren's D ermatology L ife Q uality I ndex), severity measures ( P atient O rientated E czema M easure), a new parental measure ( P arental S elf‐ E fficacy in E czema C are I ndex) and service impact data based on general practitioner ( GP ) attendance patterns pre‐ and postintervention. Results Statistically significant impacts were observed on infant quality of life ( P < 0·001), child quality of life ( P = 0·027), disease severity ( P < 0·001) and parental self‐efficacy ( P < 0·001). Improvements in child quality of life, parental efficacy and service impact were also evident from qualitative data. The cumulative total of all GP visits for selected participants post‐ EEP reduced by 62%. Conclusions The EEP appears to be an effective model of delivering structured education to parents of children with eczema, and one generalizable to other multiethnic metropolitan populations. As a noncontrolled study, this rigorous service evaluation highlights the model's significance and the case for an evaluative multicentre randomized controlled trial of this educational intervention to inform a nurse‐led programme of care.