Integrating medical and psychological health care for children with atopic dermatitis.

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.