November 11th 2024.
Eczema is a common disease that affects a large number of children in Australia, but unfortunately, many families struggle to manage it effectively. However, there is hope on the horizon as an Australian dermatologist, Dr. Corinne Maiolo, is spearheading efforts to change the way the healthcare system deals with this condition.
Thanks to her groundbreaking work, Dr. Maiolo recently received a generous grant of €25,000 from the Europe-based La Foundation La Roche-Posay. Her research aims to provide patients with education on how to manage their eczema, something that the current healthcare system struggles to offer. As Dr. Maiolo explains, patients typically only have 10 to 15 minutes with a doctor, which is not enough time to fully address their needs. This is particularly problematic for those living in rural areas, where access to dermatologists is limited.
Under Dr. Maiolo's proposed care model, patients will still see a dermatologist, but they will also work with a nurse to learn how to manage their condition themselves. This approach involves not just the patient, but also their family, especially in the case of younger patients. According to Dr. Maiolo, around one in three children will be diagnosed with eczema at some point in their lives, and for many families, this will be a new and challenging experience.
Dr. Maiolo's model is inspired by the successful education programs for patients with diabetes and asthma, which focus on self-care techniques. However, as she points out, skin conditions are often overlooked, and finding specialized staff can be difficult, especially outside the public system. Globally, over two billion people live with skin disorders and issues, and a study cited by La Foundation La Roche-Posay found that 98% of them reported a negative impact on their quality of life.
Currently, Dr. Maiolo's main priority is to continue her study by recruiting suitable patients from both urban Adelaide and the regional town of Renmark in South Australia's rural Riverland. These patients will participate in her education program for nine to 10 months, and Dr. Maiolo hopes that the findings will raise awareness about the importance of proper care for skin conditions like eczema. She also hopes to secure funding from the government to expand her program to include other chronic skin conditions.
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