Patient-centred health care for people with chronic skin conditions

Patient‐centredness has been expressed as clinicians trying to see the illness through the patient's eyes. People with psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions can perceive that treating clinicians discount the importance of their symptoms. In particular, the psychological sequelae of such conditions can be unacknowledged and poorly managed, contributing to poor relationships with general practitioners and dermatologists. Dermatologists do recognize the need to detect and manage mental health problems in people with psoriasis, but can disagree as to the extent of their role in ensuring this happens. This may be related in part to concerns about dermatologists’ skills and confidence in mental health management and a resulting preference for standardized screening and referral to colleagues if mental health problems are detected.8 However, openness to exploring patients’ well‐being and their concerns while providing care for their chronic skin condition does not require mental health training. Rather, it can be seen as a core dimension of expert dermatological care and a well‐accepted expectation of quality doctor–patient interactions.