Associations between disease education, self-management support, and health literacy in psoriasis

Patients’ ability to perform self-management may be compromised if they are unable to fully comprehend their diagnosis and treatments. Weaknesses in health literacy (HL) pose a considerable health concern and may negatively influence SM, as well as interactions with health care professionals (HCP) and peers.

To investigate possible associations between comprehensive HL and psoriasis education from HCPs in a cohort of patients with psoriasis. Another aim was to examine essential sources for psoriasis information and how these are evaluated.

Cross-sectional questionnaire data, including the comprehensive Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) from 825 patients with psoriasis who had participated in Climate Helio Therapy (CHT).

Participants having received HCP education scored significantly better in all HLQ scales compared to participants who did not receive such education (Cohen’s effect size: 0.24 to 0.44). The CHT program, peers, and dermatologists were the most important sources of psoriasis information. People having participated more than once in CHT presented better HL scores and also higher self-management (skill and technique acquisition) and more psoriasis knowledge (effect-size: 0.75).

Psoriasis education by HCP seems important for HL and psoriasis knowledge. Patients may need multiple approaches and repetitions over time to be health literate and effective self-managers.