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Training for prescribing in‐office and home phototherapy
Author(s) -
Anderson Kathryn L.,
Huang Karen E.,
Huang William W.,
Feldman Steven R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/phpp.12195
Subject(s) - training (meteorology) , medical education , medicine , psychology , geography , meteorology
Summary Background/Purpose One reason phototherapy use is lacking in the U nited S tates may be inadequate phototherapy education during dermatology training. The purpose of this study was to estimate the level of dermatology resident training with prescribing phototherapy and to see whether inadequate education may be contributing to the underuse of phototherapy in the U nited S tates. Methods A questionnaire was developed to assess resident education and comfort with prescribing phototherapy from the resident perspective. Botulinum toxin and radiation therapy training were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Responses were tabulated and comparisons made using F isher's exact test and C ochran– A rmitage trend test. Results A total of 88 residents responded. 42% and 81% of respondents reported not receiving didactic education on prescribing in‐office and home phototherapy, respectively, compared to 13% for botulinum toxin and 91% for radiation therapy. 29% and 76% reported not being comfortable prescribing in‐office and home phototherapy, respectively, compared to 36% for botulinum toxin and 91% for radiation therapy. Phototherapy education satisfaction was positively correlated with comfort of prescribing, and comfort prescribing was positively correlated with actual prescribing of phototherapy. Conclusions Training for prescribing phototherapy is lacking. Augmenting phototherapy training may help make home phototherapy more accessible for patients.