Ointments for eczema. Why explaining a simple treatment took a long time.

Treating eczema with ointment. A simple treatment to explain you would say. Yet it often takes the dermatologist or nurse specialist and the pharmacy a long time to explain eczema treatment. Why is that?

A consultation hour to properly inform patients

There are two types of ointment to treat eczema: a basic ointment and a hormone ointment. Both have their own explanations, uses and effects. They are often explained orally, which is time-consuming in practice. 

A nursing consultation hour took place at the Leeuwarden Medical Center two days a week. During this consultation hour it was explained what eczema is and how it can be treated. There was also room for patients to ask questions. During the consultation hour the patient saw a doctor, a nurse and a doctor's assistant. As a result, this consultation hour took a lot of time for both health care providers and patients.

Explanations at the pharmacy

When the ointment was issued, pharmacies also experienced many questions from patients. For example, about the reputation of the hormone ointment. As a result, pharmacy assistants often explained again the different ointments and their proper use.

Creating a Divi together

To improve the information around ointment in eczema, we have created the Divi "Ointment in eczema" in cooperation with the MCL. In this Divi, step by step and in chronological order, all the information the patient needs is given.

Two animations explain the use of the basic ointment and the hormone ointment. It also clearly explains what the "fingertip unit" entails, and schedules can be included in the Divi, for both the ointment schedule and the phase-out schedule.

Of course, the most common questions surrounding the use of ointments are also answered.

Deployment and outcome of the Divi

The Divi can be used in all patients who have eczema and are prescribed an ointment for it.
At the dermatology department of the Leeuwarden Medical Center, the Divi is sent as basic information to every patient with eczema. By properly informing patients in the basics, the consultation is used more qualitatively, for example for specific questions from a patient.

Because the Divi clearly explains that hormone ointment is not dangerous, patients are more reassured and the pharmacist does not have to worry about using the ointment incorrectly.