Psoriasis Cure Now Launches Doctor-Patient Communication Tools

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Article Date: 20 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Psoriasis Cure Now, a nonprofit patient advocacy group, has unveiled two new web tools to help people with psoriasis improve their interactions with dermatologists and other physicians. While most people report being very satisfied with their physicians, many psoriasis patients continue to be under-treated and doctor-patient face time is increasingly being squeezed.

With Psoriasis Cure Now's Doctor Visit Questionnaire, a psoriasis patient answers a series of questions online before visiting the doctor. Then the patient prints out a summary of the results and takes it to the doctor appointment. By allowing patients to answer questions at their own pace from the privacy of their own homes, the questionnaire ensures that important areas are not overlooked in the rush of the actual doctor visit, and may facilitate discussion of sensitive topics, including the impact of psoriasis on emotional well-being and on intimacy. This free service of Psoriasis Cure Now is available here.

Psoriasis Cure Now has also released the latest in its series of free psoriasis podcasts, this one on improving doctor-patient communication. Laurence H. Miller, MD, a dermatologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and an expert on psoriasis, shares his four decades of experience in this informative and entertaining look at how to get the most out of your doctor appointment. The podcast is available on iTunes and from the Psoriasis Cure Now website: http://www.psoriasis-cure-now.org/podcasts.php.

"Psoriasis is a complex disease that can impact many facets of one's life," said Michael Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now. "By making it easier for patients to fully explain their symptoms and concerns, and by summarizing it in an orderly way for physicians, our Doctor Visit Questionnaire web tool will help doctors and their patients improve health outcomes."

The podcasts and Doctor Visit Questionnaire join Psoriasis Cure Now's MySpace page and online Write to Congress feature as part of its efforts to leverage technology to help psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients.

"Someday soon, answering internet surveys prior to visiting your physician will be commonplace for every disease," Paranzino added. "We are happy to be on the cutting edge of this sensible use of technology to improve the health of people with psoriasis."

Psoriasis Cure Now

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