Skin disease is a huge international problem, and often neglected. Between 21-87% of the population is affected by some type of skin problem.
Skin disease may be a sign of underlying illness; and can be upsetting or even stigmatising for the patient.
In resource poor countries, there is one specialist dermatologist for 3 to 10 million people, and specialists rarely work outside urban areas.
Non-specialist health workers have limited training and skills in skin disease, which can result in inappropriate treatment.
Treatments are often expensive, costing some patients in Africa and Asia over 50% of their income.
GOALS
- Reduce the disfigurement and suffering caused by skin disease worldwide
- Help primary health care workers to give appropriate, cost-effective treatments or refer when appropriate
- Improve patient understanding of skin disease and how to use common treatments
SOLUTIONS
- Work with a team of international experts to develop appropriate, high-quality learning materials for each audience and region
- Gather clinical videos in our target regions (to ensure that increase engagement and local relevance, and ensure that an accurate diagnosis can be made in different skin colours)
- Highlight key clinical skills and practical procedures through video demonstration
- Engage with users to shape materials and obtain learner/user feedback
- Assess the impact on knowledge, skills and decision making of health workers; and on patients’ attitudes to skin disease, and use any recommended treatment
TARGETS
- Develop a resource for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals for Africa, Asia and Europe
- Produce a simple, focused version for community health workers on common skin diseases
- Provide patient education videos to encourage people to seek appropriate help and use treatments correctly
- Use interviews, focus groups and informal feedback to understand the views of learners, educators, policy makers and key opinion leaders
- Assess the impact on knowledge, skills and decision making of health workers; and on patients’ understanding of their skin disease and its treatment
