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Nurse-led clinics reduce severity of childhood atopic eczema: a review of the literature

Version 2 2024-06-03, 23:01
Version 1 2015-08-24, 14:16
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 23:01 authored by E Moore, A Williams, E Manias, G Varigos
BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence and impact of atopic eczema in children in Western countries such as Australia substantiate the need to evaluate the current management of this illness. It has been well documented that the most important aspects in the management of atopic eczema are to allow adequate time for education and demonstration of treatments. However, current models of healthcare funding restrict the opportunity for patient education during medical consultation times. The contribution of nursing to patient care through nurse-led clinics has significant potential in the management of many common chronic illnesses, although atopic eczema has received minimal attention by researchers to date. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the current clinical management of atopic eczema, and to identify the evidence surrounding the benefits of nurse-led clinics in managing patients with chronic illnesses. METHODS: Systematic searches were undertaken using the Cochrane Library, MedLine, PUBMed and CINAHL from 1995 to 2005. Manual searches of references of retrieved articles identified two additional key studies from 1990 and 1993 which were also included in the review. RESULTS: In total, 22 relevant publications were identified. These included both primary research and descriptive studies that covered the medical management of eczema, patient education and improved patient outcomes. The evidence emerging from the literature indicates that the current management of eczema through doctor-led clinics could be improved, with doctors often lacking the time to offer sufficient patient education to manage chronic illnesses effectively. The literature supports the efficacy of nurse-led clinics in the management of chronic illnesses. The benefits of nurse-led clinics include increased patient satisfaction, longer consultations resulting in improved patient education and similar health outcomes when compared with care from a doctor. No studies were identified comparing nurse-led and doctor-led clinics in the management of eczema. CONCLUSIONS: The most effective way to manage atopic eczema is to provide adequate time for education and demonstration of treatments, which the literature suggests can be achieved through nurse-led clinics. The literature review supports an investigation researching the outcomes of a nurse-led clinic on reducing the severity of eczema in children.

History

Journal

British journal of dermatology

Volume

155

Pagination

1242-1248

Location

Chichester, Eng.

ISSN

0007-0963

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2006, The Authors

Issue

6

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell