Usability, Satisfaction, and Usefulness of an Illustrated Eczema Action Plan

Abstract

Background: An eczema action plan (EAP) is an individualized tool to help caregivers and patients self-manage eczema. While novel illustrated EAPs have been developed and validated, there is limited literature examining the value of EAPs from patient and caregiver perspectives. Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the usability, satisfaction, and usefulness of our validated EAP from the perspective of patients and caregivers. Methods: Consecutive patients from the pediatric dermatology clinic of a tertiary children’s hospital from July 2016 to July 2017 were offered enrolment in a prospective survey study; informed consent was obtained from participants. The illustrated EAP was explained to the participant by a trained research assistant. Participants were sent electronic postvisit surveys using Likert scale questions via REDCap on EAP usability and satisfaction (9 items) as well as on usefulness (3 items). Results: Of 233 consecutive clinic patients, 192 participants (82%) were enrolled, and 112 (58%; 85 caregivers and 22 patients) completed the postvisit surveys. Characteristics were similar between responders and nonresponders. Overall, participants rated the usability (96%), satisfaction (85%), and usefulness (78%) of the EAP positively. Education level, experience with eczema, previous dermatology consultation, and participant type (caregiver vs patient) did not significantly affect the usability or usefulness ratings. However, caregivers’ overall EAP ratings were significantly higher ( P = .02) than the patients’. Conclusion: The caregivers and participants demonstrate that the EAP is a useful and highly usable tool. Future research should examine the effectiveness of EAP use on objective atopic dermatitis outcomes using a pragmatic clinical trial design.