The problem of cooperation of doctor and patient in pediatric dermatological practice
The article concentrates on the study of the characteristics of attitudes towards the disease and adherence to treatment in children suffering from chronic dermatoses and their parents who have consulted a dermatologist. For this purpose, we used a clinical and psychological conversation with parents and patients -children over 10 years of age, as well as the Morisky-Green preliminary compliance assessment scale. The study showed that for most parents, the first symptoms of the disease and the diagnosis of their child were the most difficult stage, accompanied by severe anxiety anddisquietude. It was also found that both parents and children tended to re -consult with other specialists and look for additional information about the disease on the Internet. The study found a discrepancy between the willingness to follow the treatment plan, as expressed by parents and children in the clinical interview, and the level of adherence to treatment, as diagnosed by the Morisky-Green scale. In reality, practical adherence to treatment in the majority of parents was significantly lower than the verbal one. The revealed discrepancy allows us to conclude that adherence should be assessed using several methods. One of the key links in assessing the level of adherence to therapy is the use of questionnaires, which the patient (or the legal representative) fills in directly at the doctor’s appointment. The Morisky-Green test can be recommended as a simple, affordable method for assessing adherence to treatment in pediatric dermatological practice in order to identify potentially non -adherent families requiring more medical attention. The conditions for achieving the necessary degree of adherence to treatment are the child’s emotional support from the parents, their interest in the positive results of treatment and the need for reliable information, including trusting relationships and close cooperation with the attending physician.