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Three Years of Italian Experience of an Educational Program for Parents of Young Children Affected by Atopic Dermatitis: Improving Knowledge Produces Lower Anxiety Levels in Parents of Children with Atopic Dermatitis
Author(s) -
Ricci Giampaolo,
Bendandi Barbara,
Aiazzi Rosalba,
Patrizi Annalisa,
Masi Massimo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2008.00813.x
Subject(s) - atopic dermatitis , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , disease , population , multidisciplinary approach , pediatrics , educational program , family medicine , dermatology , psychiatry , environmental health , nursing , pathology , social science , sociology , political science , law
The chronic course of atopic dermatitis is a problem for children and their families: it can be extremely disabling, and may cause psychologic problems for both child and family. As atopic dermatitis affects 10% of the pediatric population, pediatricians and dermatologists spend much time on the treatment of this disease, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. To improve the quality of life of children and families affected by atopic dermatitis we have offered an educational program to the parents of young children affected by the disease. The program consists of six meetings at weekly intervals involving a pediatric allergist, a dermatologist, and a psychologist. Our experience has been positive. This type of program may help to improve the quality of life of families with children affected by atopic dermatitis. Lower levels of anxiety were observed among parents at the end of the program. We believe that educational programs of this type, in association with conventional treatment, can be useful in the long term management of the disease. They may be considered to improve the quality of life of the family and children and to create more interaction and compliance between physicians, parents, and children.