Development of atopic dermatitis-specific communication tools: Interview form and question and answer brochure

Abstract

At first consultation, it is sometimes difficult for patients to decide which questions they want to ask most. We investigated whether an improvement in interview forms would identify the questions that patients want to ask doctors and help patients express their needs. First, we developed a two-part interview form specifically for atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The first part was related to diagnosis. In the second part, we determined the most frequently asked questions by patients in daily AD clinics and included these in a prompt interview form, which we called "Questions You May Want to Ask". We compared this new interview form with the standard interview one used in our hospital. Then we made a brochure with answers to those questions. Finally, we evaluated the usefulness of these communication tools. The usefulness of the AD-specific interview form and the answer brochure was validated by patients and/or their surrogates. The majority of them recognized the necessity for and usefulness of these tools to communicate appropriately with their doctors. The answer brochure significantly increased their understanding of AD. The AD-specific interview form and the answer brochure are useful communication tools to improve doctor-patient relationships.