RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Supporting families managing childhood eczema: developing and optimising eczema care online using qualitative research
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP e378
OP e389
DO 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0503
VO 72
IS 719
A1 Katy Sivyer
A1 Emma Teasdale
A1 Kate Greenwell
A1 Mary Steele
A1 Daniela Ghio
A1 Matthew J Ridd
A1 Amanda Roberts
A1 Joanne R Chalmers
A1 Sandra Lawton
A1 Sinead M Langan
A1 Fiona Cowdell
A1 Emma Le Roux
A1 Sylvia Wilczynska
A1 Hywel C Williams
A1 Kim S Thomas
A1 Lucy Yardley
A1 Miriam Santer
A1 Ingrid Muller
YR 2022
UL http://bjgp.org/content/72/719/e378.abstract
AB Background Childhood eczema is often poorly controlled owing to underuse of emollients and topical corticosteroids (TCS). Parents/carers report practical and psychosocial barriers to managing their child’s eczema, including child resistance. Online interventions could potentially support parents/carers; however, rigorous research developing such interventions has been limited.Aim To develop an online behavioural intervention to help parents/carers manage and co-manage their child’s eczema.Design and setting Intervention development using a theory-, evidence-, and person-based approach (PBA) with qualitative research.Method A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of studies (n = 32) and interviews with parents/carers (n = 30) were used to identify barriers and facilitators to effective eczema management, and a prototype intervention was developed. Think-aloud interviews with parents/carers (n = 25) were then used to optimise the intervention to increase its acceptability and feasibility.Results Qualitative research identified that parents/carers had concerns about using emollients and TCS, incomplete knowledge and skills around managing eczema, and reluctance to transitioning to co-managing eczema with their child. Think-aloud interviews highlighted that, while experienced parents/carers felt they knew how to manage eczema, some information about how to use treatments was still new. Techniques for addressing barriers included providing a rationale explaining how emollients and TCS work, demonstrating how to use treatments, and highlighting that the intervention provided new, up-to-date information.Conclusion Parents/carers need support in effectively managing and co-managing their child’s eczema. The key output of this research is Eczema Care Online for Families, an online intervention for parents/carers of children with eczema, which is being evaluated in a randomised trial.