https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7109-1101
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Abstract
Background
Despite the large availability of caregivers, there are no standardized care pathways for patients with acne. This increases the risk of ineffective care and unnecessary medicalizing. To better understand how to provide effective, efficient, and patient-satisfying care, it is necessary to gain insights into the patient journey through acne healthcare services.
Objective
To explore the patient journeys, assessed by a series of consecutive steps through acne healthcare.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Dutch individuals with acne.
Results
A total of 371 respondents completed the questionnaire. Data revealed 58 different pathways through acne healthcare services. Patient with severe acne had a stronger tendency to seek professional care than those with mild acne (p< .05). The highest proportion of clinically relevant improvement was found in patients treated by dermatologists, compared to respondents treated by beauticians, p = .023 and dermal therapists, p = .018.
Conclusions
Mapping the patient journeys contributed to a better understanding of the gap between professional guidelines and the experiences of patients. Identifying these areas of care implies that there is potential to bring acne care services more in line with the patients’ needs. Further research is recommended; for example by comparing the clinical treatment outcomes of multiple sequences of caregivers.
Acknowledgements
The respondents in this study have given written informed consent to publication of their case details.
Disclosure statement
No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.