Psoriasis, a chronic illness characterized by itchy rashes and patchy scales, is more than just a skin condition. Aside from the pain, stinging, and discomfort that itchy and cracked skin brings, psoriasis also heavily impacts a person’s daily life, affecting how someone sleeps, wears clothes, and performs activities.
Currently, it has no known cure, and that can negatively impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being in a significant way. Studies show that children diagnosed with chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis are more likely to be teased and bullied by peers and are more prone to developing depression, anxiety, stigmatization, and suicide.
As healthcare professionals, it’s important to discuss psoriasis and its symptoms with patients comprehensively and compassionately. This article discusses how to talk to newly diagnosed psoriasis patients to help them better understand the illness, recognize triggers, manage symptoms, and address its impact on day-to-day life.
What to Say at a Patient’s First Psoriasis Diagnosis Conversation
As healthcare professionals, how we communicate with and treat patients can have a profound impact on how they are educated about the skin condition, how they adhere to treatment plans, how they create routines that support symptom management, and how they seek the support they need when the condition affects their personal and work lives.
Here are some helpful tips on what to say during a patient’s first psoriasis diagnosis appointment:
- Prioritize the patient’s comfort and privacy. A psoriasis patient with rashes, scales, and broken skin may feel self-conscious or embarrassed, so it’s important to let patients know that their comfort and privacy are prioritized in their appointment.
- Ask if they have a companion with them. If they do, ask them if they’d like for their friend or loved one to be with them in the room. Having a trusted support person with them during their appointment can make them feel more comfortable.
- Establish rapport. If the patient prefers to have a companion with them, make sure to acknowledge both the patient and the companion and maintain eye contact when speaking. Introduce yourself, as well as the rest of the team (dermatologist or physician) who will play a role in the patient’s psoriasis care. Verbal and nonverbal cues can significantly help a patient feel at ease, understood, and valued.
- Explain what psoriasis is in clear and plain language. Explain what the illness is, its common symptoms, and their treatment plan. It’s crucial to make sure that the patient understands the nature of the skin condition — how it can flare up when triggered and how it can be managed. It’s also very important to dispel some common misconceptions about the disease. Make sure the patient understands that this skin condition is not contagious or that it’s caused by poor hygiene.
- Allow patients to ask questions or express concerns. Make sure that the patient has the opportunity to ask questions or share how they’re feeling. Do not interrupt them when they’re speaking. Allowing them to express their questions and concerns can help validate their experiences and strengthen rapport.
- Have a non-judgmental attitude. Don’t be dismissive of their concerns or show signs of disgust or discomfort. Don’t make them feel like they should have sought medical help earlier. Don’t sit far away from them, or wear protective precautions that are not clinically necessary. Make sure that patients feel safe and supported during your interaction.
- Discuss treatment plans and self-care strategies. Explain what each medicine is for, how and when to apply or take them, and their side effects and contraindications. Encourage patients to use gentle skin care products and regularly use emollients. Discuss with them the most common psoriasis triggers and how they can avoid them. Ask them to take note of potential triggers when they notice them and discuss them with their care team on their next visit.
- Set proper expectations. Inform them that although there is currently no known cure for psoriasis, treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. However, each person responds to medications differently, and it might take some time to find the treatment plan that works best for each patient. If one medication is less effective for a patient than it is for others, it can help guide the search for a better option. It’s also important to let patients know that psoriasis flares can occur from time to time even if a patient adheres to the treatment plan.
