Structure, quality and accessibility of the Dutch acne healthcare; a care providers’ perspective

Authors Femke de Vries, Rieke Driessen, Marlies Welbie, Esther Tjin, Peter van de Kerkhof
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment
Publication date 2021
Research groups Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
Type Article

Summary

Background: Despite the wide range of available treatment modalities a delay between the first outbreak of acne vulgaris and an effective treatment outcome is experienced by many patients. Considering the growing incentives to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care while reducing healthcare costs, insights into the structure, quality and accessibility of acne healthcare services beyond guidelines are therefore needed. Objective: To provide insights into the structure, quality and accessibility of acne healthcare services. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted according to the principles of ‘situational analysis’. The Dutch acne healthcare system was taken as an illustrative example. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted among representatives of the 4 main Dutch professions providing acne care. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed. Results: Multiple facilitators and barriers emerged from the interviews. Identified facilitators were care providers delivering personalized patient care and having a positive attitude toward formalized multidisciplinary care delivery. A lack of streamlined referral pathways and standardization in acne severityassessment, financial aspects and unfamiliarity with the content and added value of other acne care professionals were identified as barriers. Further research is recommended to investigate how demedicalisation, the gatekeepers role, and the impact of location and work setting influence the quality of and accessibility to care. Conclusions: Identified facilitators and barriers and an overall positive attitude of care providers toward multidisciplinary care provision provides opportunities for the utilization of future guidelines involving streamlined referral pathways and good working arrangements between all acne care providing professions.

On this publication contributed

  • Femke de Vries| Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
    Femke de Vries
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
  • Marlies Welbie | Researcher | Methodology of Practice-Based Research
    Marlies Welbie
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Research Competence
  • Esther Tjin | Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
    Esther Tjin
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology

Language English
Published in Journal of Dermatological Treatment
Year and volume 32 3
Key words acne, health care system, access, quality, qualitative study, situational analysis, facilitators, barriers, referral
Page range 269-276

Femke de Vries

Femke de Vries| Researcher | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology

Femke de Vries

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology