Healthcare data for clinical practice guideline of psoriasis patients in Phitsanulok

Abstract

Thai Dermatological Society publicized a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for Thai psoriasis patients in 2010. However, as differences between patients and healthcare providers exist across the country. This study aims to survey healthcare data of psoriasis patients in Phitsanulok to develop a clinical practice guideline to be appropriate for the region. Analysis of responses to a questionnaire mailed to psoriasis patients who had been treated in public hospitals in Phitsanulok in aspect of demographic and healthcare data. Most Phitsanulok psoriasis patients received government health care service support - only 5% self-financed their psoriasis treatment in public hospitals; 96% lived more than 5 km2 from hospital attended; about 40% visited the hospital more than four times per year. One third of patients had no knowledge about their own disease, and only 7% of those who self-assessed were well-informed about it. Healthcare data from Phitsanulok Psoriasis patients, such as number of annual visits, distance from home to hospital and patients’ knowledge about the disease is very useful. Problems identified can be addressed in training physicians and healthcare workers in both hospitals and health stations.