Corticosteroid Phobia Among Pharmacists Regarding Atopic Dermatitis in Children: A National French Survey

Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 Feb;96(2):177-80. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2157.

Abstract

Fear of corticosteroid use among patients and parents of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) may be increased by professional caregiver's mistrust to corticosteroids and a lack of consistency in information provision. This study used a French national survey to assess mistrust among pharmacists of the use of topical steroids for treatment of AD in children. From all pharmacies in France, a random sample of 500 (approximately 2%) was selected to receive a postal survey comprising a standardized questionnaire of 50 items exploring trust, knowledge, beliefs and practices related to the use of topical steroids for children with AD. The main outcome was self-assessment of pharmacists' confidence in topical steroids on a 0-10 visual analogue scale. The mean confidence was 4.46 (95% confidence interval 4.11-4.82). This study highlights that pharmacists have only moderate confidence in topical steroids. This lack of trust may have a high impact on maintaining fear of corticosteroids in parents and patients.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects*
  • Age Factors
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / drug therapy*
  • Fear*
  • France
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pharmacists / psychology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Trust*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones