Prevalence and Associations of General Practice Registrars’ Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training Study

Anneliese Willems; Amanda  Tapley; Alison  Fielding; Er Tsing Vivian  Tng; Elizabeth  Holliday; Mieke L van Driel; Jean  Ball; Andrew  Davey; Irena Patsan; Kristen  FitzGerald; Neil  Spike; Parker Magin

doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a128

Prevalence and Associations of General Practice Registrars’ Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training Study

Authors

Anneliese Willems Eastern Victoria General Practice Training, Regional Training Organisation, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Berkeley Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Amanda Tapley University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; GP Synergy, Regional Training Organisation, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit, 20 Mclntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW, Australia
Alison Fielding University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; GP Synergy, Regional Training Organisation, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit, 20 Mclntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW, Australia
Er Tsing Vivian Tng Department of Dermatology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
Elizabeth Holliday University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Mieke L van Driel The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, Primary Care Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Level 8 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Jean Ball Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Design, IT and Statistical Support Unit (CReDITSS), New Lambton, NSW, Australia
Andrew Davey University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; GP Synergy, Regional Training Organisation, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit, 20 Mclntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW, Australia
Irena Patsan University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; GP Synergy, Regional Training Organisation, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit, 20 Mclntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW, Australia
Kristen FitzGerald University of Tasmania Tasmanian School of Medicine, Hobart, TAS, Australia; General Practice Training Tasmania, Regional Training Organisation, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Neil Spike Eastern Victoria General Practice Training, Regional Training Organisation, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Berkeley Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Parker Magin University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; GP Synergy, Regional Training Organisation, NSW & ACT Research and Evaluation Unit, 20 Mclntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW, Australia

Keywords:

atopic dermatitis, eczema, general practice, family practice, dermatologists

Abstract

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory condition which imposes substantial burden upon patients and their families. As a frequent primary care presentation, general practice (GP) trainees must develop adequate skills in AD diagnosis and management.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the prevalence and associations of GP registrars’ management of patients with AD.

Methods: This study used data from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) project, an ongoing cohort study of the clinical and educational experience of Australian GP registrars. Registrar, patient, and consultation factors were independent variables in multivariable logistic regression with outcome factor ‘diagnosis/problem being AD’.

Results: From 2010-2019, 2,783 registrars (96% response rate) provided data from 381,180 consultations. AD was encountered in 0.6% of consults. AD was more likely to be seen in patients aged 0-1 years and patients from a non-English speaking background. AD was less likely to be seen in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patients. Learning goals were more likely to be generated for AD and these consultations were associated with registrars seeking information or assistance. AD was strongly associated with a medication being prescribed, of which the most prescribed medications were mild or moderate potency topical corticosteroids.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, similar to other dermatological presentations, registrars find AD challenging to manage. There may be some gaps in AD management knowledge and application.

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