In our own words: Patient-identified priorities for eczema care conversations

Atopic dermatitis affects more than appearance of the skin and presents a wide range of challenges that can impact a person's physical, mental, and social well-being. Although clinical care often prioritizes visible aspects of disease and treatment response, lived experiences reveal a broader definition of eczema burden, which can lead to misalignment regarding care approaches and treatment effectiveness, leading to care dissatisfaction. Opportunity exists to address patient-health care provider discordance and anchor care conversations in what matters most to people affected by eczema to foster optimal outcomes. This work was co-developed with 2 individuals affected by eczema (an adult patient and a caregiver) and is grounded in a patient-centered process using targeted conversations on the burden of atopic dermatitis and patient-driven priorities for health care conversations. Although the perspectives shared are limited to the unique journeys of these contributors and are not intended to represent the full spectrum of atopic dermatitis experiences, they parallel qualitative sentiments shared with the National Eczema Association by many patients and caregivers. We discuss a strong desire from the eczema community for more personalized eczema care that better acknowledges and addresses the comprehensive impact of the disease.