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An Atopic Dermatitis Management Algorithm for Primary Care Providers and Assessment of Its Usefulness as a Clinical Tool
Author(s) -
Miyar Maria E.,
Brown Megan,
Vivar Karina L.,
Jablon Kimberly,
Boscardin Christy,
Levy Moise L.,
Teng Joyce M.,
Mathes Erin F.
Publication year - 2017
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/pde.13157
Subject(s) - medicine , intervention (counseling) , confidence interval , algorithm , atopic dermatitis , primary care , randomized controlled trial , psychological intervention , medline , family medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , dermatology , computer science , political science , law
Background/Objectives There is a lack of primary care provider ( PCP ) understanding of atopic dermatitis ( AD ) treatments and topical steroid use. We designed an AD management algorithm for pediatric PCP s. We hypothesized that the algorithm would improve pediatric PCP s' knowledge of AD diagnosis and management. Methods Pediatric primary care resident and attending physicians at three residency programs were invited to participate in an electronic AD algorithm survey that contained demographic and 19 knowledge‐based questions. Participants were randomized to intervention and control groups, with the intervention group receiving a short lecture and copy of our algorithm to use in an inpatient or outpatient setting for 2 months. Changes in scores between preintervention and postintervention surveys were compared. Results Of the 54 participants, those in the intervention group ( n = 26) performed significantly better than those in the control group ( n = 28) after controlling for pretest scores (β = 1.19 [95% confidence interval 0.07, 2.32], p = 0.04). The intervention group had a higher average score on the posttest knowledge questions (71% correct) than the control group (65% correct) (p = 0.06). The majority of physicians who received the algorithm agreed or strongly agreed that they liked using the algorithm. Conclusion The use of a management algorithm improved physician knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of AD and was well accepted by physicians. Use of this management algorithm may lead to better recognition and management of AD , particularly earlier recognition of and therapy for superinfection, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients and families.