Skin Cancer

Supportive Oncodermatology Interventions Improve Patient Quality of Life

By May 6, 2020April 12th, 2023No Comments

Dermatology News

National Skin Cancer Month

Enrollment in a supportive oncodermatology program is associated with a significantly improved quality of life score, according to a recent survey from the George Washington University (GW) Cancer Center. The results of the survey were published in the May issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Read JDD Article Now

"Supportive Oncodermatology Interventions Improve Patient Quality of Life"

Enrollment in a supportive oncodermatology program is associated with a significantly improved quality of life score, according to a recent survey from the George Washington University (GW) Cancer Center. The results of the survey were published in the May issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Improved Quality of Life

Supportive oncodermatology is a growing field that provides treatment and preventive care to oncology patients who experience adverse dermatologic events associated with their cancer treatments. While dermatologic health in cancer patients is gaining attention, the literature evaluating the impact of supportive oncodermatology clinics on patient quality of life is limited.

To identify the impact of these programs, the group at GW performed a cross-sectional survey of adult cancer patients enrolled at the Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic at GW Cancer Center. Those who met inclusion criteria were invited to complete an online survey with questions adapted from the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire.

“Our results show that patient quality of life benefited significantly from enrollment in the clinic’s programs,” said Adam Friedman, MD, director of the GW Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic, interim chair of the Department of Dermatology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and senior author on the study. “The supportive oncodermatology field is a critical element of multidisciplinary cancer care that addresses dermatologic wellness in cancer patients.”

The respondents reported satisfaction with the care they received at the GW Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic, especially in terms of providers’ interpersonal manner and communication and would recommend this type of care to other cancer patients.

Prior to receiving care at the clinic, patients had an average quality of life score of 6.5, indicating a “moderate effect” dermatologic adverse events have on quality of life. On average, scores were significantly reduced by 2.7 points after joining the clinic.

While patients reported overall satisfaction with dermatologic care, many reported being unsure if those interventions aided in adherence to anticancer treatment. Because of this, the authors pointed out, it is necessary to develop evidence-based management systems for dermatologic adverse effects.

The article, titled “The Influence of Supportive Oncodermatology Interventions on Patient Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Survey,” is published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology and is available at jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961620P0477X.

You May Also Like

Podcasting on Podcasts: Dr. Adam Friedman and Dr. Jim Del Rosso Unpack the Mics

| Dermatology Podcast Archives | No Comments
In this special edition of the JDD Podcast, host Dr. Adam Friedman flips the script on one of dermatology's most recognizable voices, Dr. Jim Del Rosso, to explore the why, how, and…
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology JDD Article About Dermatological Safety of Cosmetic Products Marketed to Children: Insights on the Sephora Kids Phenomenon

Dermatological Safety of Cosmetic Products Marketed to Children: Insights on the Sephora Kids Phenomenon

| Featured Articles, Latest News, The Latest | No Comments
Harness Klotho Protein’s UV-Defying Power for Breakthrough Photoaging Repair Every day, more families are turning to beauty aisles with their kids in tow, and retailers are responding. Sephora’s new “Kids”…
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology JDD Article About Hypochlorous Acid for a Persistent Filler Nodule: A Case Report

Hypochlorous Acid for a Persistent Filler Nodule: A Case Report

| Case Reports, Featured Articles, Latest News, Medical Derm, The Latest | No Comments
Biofilms, Hard Nodules, and the Surprising Power of Hypochlorous Acid Most hyaluronic acid lumps after filler settle on their own, but a rare “delayed-onset” nodule can spell trouble—especially when it…

Leave a Reply