Are Nurse-Led Eczema Clinics Effective in Reducing the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis and Its Impact on Children and Families?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Initiation and expansion of nurse-led eczema clinics at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne has improved timely access to treatment and education for many children with eczema and their families. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nurse-led eczema clinics in treating eczema and reducing its impact on quality of life and also the level of parent or guardian satisfaction with the clinical experience. METHODS All families attending two weekly community-based nurse-led eczema clinics and two weekly hospital-based nurse-led eczema clinics were invited to take part in a survey-based evaluation. A parent or guardian completed surveys at initial and follow-up clinic visits, and eczema severity was assessed at both visits using SCORAD. RESULTS There were 342 participants. Eczema severity was reduced by 62% (18 points), and the quality-of-life impact scores fell by at least 50% for individuals and families. More than 90% of parents rated the clinician and overall clinic experience as “excellent” or “very good.” CONCLUSION The nurse-led eczema clinics were effective in reducing the severity of eczema and the negative impact of eczema on the individual and the family unit. The magnitude of this reduction was clinically and statistically significant. Participants' clinic experience was highly positive.