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Therapeutic patient educational toolbox

This website and the project "Development of toolbox to aid therapeutic patient education in psoriasis" is funded by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), a non-profit organization, 2016-2018.

Project Team

This project was conducted by multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals and researchers :

Prof. Jo Lambert, MD & Dr. Lynda Grine
University Ghent

Prof. Alexander Nast, MD & Dr. Corinna Dressler
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Prof. Paul Galdas, RN. PhD
University of York

Toulouse Univ.: Prof. Carle Paul, Université de Toulouse

SPIN: Marianne Charamon, Project Manager

History

In 2015, the SPIN Scientific Committee decided to conduct a worldwide study on Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) in Psoriasis, led by Prof. Jo Lambert of Ghent University. A first survey was sent through SPIN in the last quarter of 2015 with the aim to obtain a rough outline about the use of TPE amongst healthcare providers (HCP) during psoriasis management across the world.

It was completed by 247 unique respondents (34,1% response rate) from 71 different countries. 38% of respondents report to use therapeutic patient education and 26% claim these methods are evidence-based.

Here are the main conclusions of this survey:

Therapeutic patient educational toolbox


Following these results, the SPIN Committee decided to advance with a project to develop in a toolbox to aid with therapeutic patient education in psoriasis. The project started in January 2017, with an initial funding from the EADV - European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology for 2017-2018. This project is also being developed in close collaboration with the EADV Psoriasis Task Force.

Aims

Aim 1. Identify TPE and self-management methods used in practice by ‘experts’ in the field of psoriasis: who are the “experts” and how do they perform TPE in detail?

Aim 2. Identify the barriers that keep healthcare providers from using TPE: why is TPE underused?

Aim 3. Identify the patient’s needs: what are the most urgent needs amongst patients that TPE can address?

Aim 4. Systematic review of self-management and TPE interventions for chronic skinconditions: which educational

interventions are effective (evidence-based) and address which patient needs?

Aim 5. Adapt and refine definition of TPE for Psoriasis: is the concept of TPE clear to everyone?

Aim 6. Developing the toolbox: can we offer the most effective educational interventions in a toolbox to healthcare providers?

Aim 7. Rollout period for toolbox: how do we offer this toolbox to healthcare providers?

Key things to consider

Organisational level:

- Financial and human resources to develop and implement a new initiative

- Training and payment of staff when the initiative is in place

- Infrastructure (such as rooms; access to the internet)

- Reimbursement options for patients

- Clinical pathways (referral and follow-up structures within your institution and with others)


Resources:

A practical guide to self-management support. Key components for successful implementation (2015) https://www.health.org.uk/publication/practical-guide-self-management-support
……
Living Well with a Chronic Condition: Framework for Self-management Support National Framework and Implementation Plan for Self-management Support for Chronic Conditions: COPD, Asthma, Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease (2017, https://www.lenus.ie/handle/10147/622639 - an example from Ireland)


Programme Level:

Before developing your own content and structure for a new initiative:

- Look for systematic reviews & other key literature evaluating similar programmes – are there any initiatives that have been deemed effective and could these be adapted to your context

- Consider working in a multi-disciplinary team including nurses, physicians, psychologist and/or health researchers and patients



Resources:

The Behaviour Chance wheel https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096582/ http://www.behaviourchangewheel.com/

De Silva D (2011) Evidence: helping people help themselves A review of the evidence considering whether it is worthwhile to support self-management. London: The Health Foundation. https://www.health.org.uk/publication/evidence-helping-people-help-themselves

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Assess if your programme is effective – this is crucial not only for you and your patients but for commissioners.

Resources:

Medical Research Council Framework: Developing and evaluating complex interventions (updated version forthcoming 2019) www.mrc.ac.uk/complexinterventionsguidance

Ten priorities for commissioners: Transforming our health care system summary (2015) Example specific to the UK https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/articles/transforming-our-health-care-system-ten-priorities-commissioners/summary