Integrating medical and psychological health care for children with atopic dermatitis

J Pediatr Psychol. 2007 Jun;32(5):617-25. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsl045. Epub 2006 Dec 16.

Abstract

Objective: To present descriptive data from a hospital-based interdisciplinary program that provides integrated medical and psychological health-care for children with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods: Clinical records were reviewed for 69 children seen in our program to examine parent-reported AD-related presenting concerns, as well as common problems and interventions addressed during family visits with the program psychologist.

Results: The most common presenting concerns included child itching and scratching and associated sleep problems. Parent initial request for a meeting with the program psychologist was not related to child disease severity, but was associated with child sleep problems and parent emotional and practical challenges in managing the child's condition.

Conclusions: Results support the need for, acceptance of, and feasibility of providing integrated care for children with AD and their families. Changes to our clinical model based on study findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / epidemiology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / psychology*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Massachusetts
  • Pruritus / epidemiology
  • Pruritus / therapy*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy*