Evaluation of the influence of pharmacists and GPs on patient perceptions of long-term topical corticosteroid use. (17th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farrugia, Lisa L.; Lee, Andrew; Fischer, Gayle; Blaszczynski, Alex; Carter, Stephen R.; Smith, Saxon D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of dermatological treatment. Volume 28:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2017-02-17
• Subjects: Adherence -- general practitioner -- pharmacist -- topical corticosteroid; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- drug therapy -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2016.1213353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6634

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To assess pharmacist and general practitioner (GP) advice and behaviors, as related to and reported by patients and parents of patients using topical corticosteroids (TCS) on a long-term basis. Materials and methods: Multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients (aged 18+) and parents of pediatric patients (aged <18) with a history of long-term (≥1 month) TCS use, assessing: TCS treatment adherence and reasons for non-adherence; beliefs regarding TCS use and safety; messages regarding TCS received from community pharmacists, GPs, family/friends and the Internet; and experiences of GP and pharmacist counseling regarding TCS use. Results: A total of 123 patients and 78 parents completed the survey ( n = 201). 76.6% of respondents reported consistently ("Often" or "Always") receiving one or more message(s) regarding TCS "risk" from a GP and/or pharmacist ( n = 192). Respondents reported being told to "try natural or complementary and alternative therapies before resorting to the use of TCS" significantly more often by pharmacists than by GPs ( p = 0.039). Conclusions: High rates of consistently delivered messages about TCS "risk" from GPs and pharmacists affect patient/parent understanding about TCS safety and may lead to treatment non-adherence. This indicates a need for reeducation of these groups on the safety of TCS use.