Research question: Does an eczema clinic in primary care improve disease control in children?
This research will address the eczema research priority question “Which is most effective in the management of eczema: education programmes, GP care, nurse‐led care, dermatologist‐led care or multidisciplinary care?” (Batchelor et al 2012)
Eczema is a long-term condition that, like asthma, requires a high level of self-management, stepping treatments “up and down” in response to fluctuating symptoms.
However, unlike asthma, support for eczema self-management is not routinely provided in GP surgeries through nurse-led clinics. A standardised “eczema clinic” in primary care could provide a more consistent approach to monitoring disease control and use of treatments.
Building on existing evidence and resources, with patient advisors and stakeholders we will co-produce and evaluate an eczema clinic in primary care.
To find out more or to get involved follow this link.
May 2025 Update
We have been working on the eczema clinic package in meetings with public contributors and interested parties, considering both the content of an eczema clinic and its evaluation.
Components of the eczema clinic include training for a clinician to be able to run appointments in GP surgeries, and resources for on-going patient support, such as treatment plans to help patients follow the advice given. This includes work to update the Eczema Written Action Plan (EWAP) that we developed back in 2017.
A grant application has been submitted to investigate the feasibility of a clinical trial to evaluate an eczema clinic in primary care, and to further refine the intervention. (Would start in March 2026)
October 2024 Update
Meetings with dermatology health care professionals, researchers and parents of children with eczema have raised questions around some issues and indicated some potential answers to others.
The best way to deliver an eczema clinic, including which health care professionals would deliver it, is in discussion, as well as whether the clinics would be one-to-one or group sessions and whether they would be delivered at PCN or GP practice level.
There has been a clear call from all parties to consider providing emotional and psychological support for eczema sufferers and their parents/carers. The value of continuity of care and consistency of advice has also been emphasised.
We are working to identify key learning outcomes that would ensure high quality eczema care would be delivered in the clinics, and to demonstrate that this intervention would be cost efficient for the NHS while also improving care standards.