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The patient journey: a voyage from diagnosis to hidradenitis suppurativa multidisciplinary unit
Author(s) -
Chiricozzi A.,
Micali G.,
Veraldi S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.15850
Subject(s) - hidradenitis suppurativa , medicine , multidisciplinary approach , unit (ring theory) , quality of life (healthcare) , multidisciplinary team , health professionals , intensive care medicine , disease , health care , nursing , pathology , social science , mathematics education , mathematics , sociology , economics , economic growth
Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory, recurrent and debilitating chronic skin disease that is often worsened by comorbidities, with a destructive impact on the social and working life of the patient. The low awareness of patients and clinicians regarding HS, together with weak coordination between specialists who manage the clinical care of these patients, may result in a burdening diagnostic and therapeutic delay, lowering efficacy of therapies and worsening prognosis and patients' QoL. Objectives To rule out these critical aspects, a HS‐Multidisciplinary Unit with a hierarchical organization is proposed. Methods Based on previously published models of a multidisciplinary unit, a hierarchical structure of a HS‐dedicated multidisciplinary unit was designed. Results In this model, an operational core constituted by four healthcare professionals constantly working as team, is supported by a large panel of consultants, local dermatologists and general practitioners, helping in HS patient management. Conclusions This standardization would imply an optimization of professional resources, an amelioration of patient’s quality of life, and a shortening of patient journey.