Online Eczema Care: A Study to Improve Access to Quality Skin Care

Purpose

For many eczema patients, it is time-consuming and costly to travel to and visit a doctor in person. Patients often miss work or school for these doctor’s visits. Secure online platforms can now enable “online visits” between eczema patients and doctors. For these online visits, patients can securely send pictures of their eczema, describe their health status, and receive recommendations and prescriptions online from their doctors. They can communicate with their doctors online from anywhere and at times that are convenient for them. The purpose of this study is to compare online visits versus traditional in-person visits for eczema patients. Specifically, we will study how online visits will improve skin, quality of life, and access to care.

Keywords: Eczema, Teledermatology, Atopic Dermatitis, Online Care, Online Dermatologist, skin study

Study Sites

This is a virtual study. Participation is not limited to a location.

 
  • Men & Women
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1 +
 
 

Please feel free to reach out to our USC research team, at any time, by email or phone.

Email: skinstudy@med.usc.edu

Phone: (323)865-3641

OR
 

What's involved?

Study length

  • 12 months.

Number of visits

  • The frequency of your visits is up to you and your doctor.

Prescription

  • As determined by your doctor.

Procedures

  • Questionnaires Every 3 months

  • Online Doctor Visits (depending on randomization)

Compensation

  • Compensation is provided for the completion of questionnaires.

Medical cost coverage

  • The cost of online visits is covered by the sponsor. However, your health plan and you will be responsible for any tests ordered or medications prescribed through the study website.

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Tired of traveling to and waiting in doctors' offices for your eczema? We are studying if online visits with doctors will improve your eczema, quality of life, and be more convenient. #Eczema #Teledermatology #SkinStudy

Eligibility

Must have

  • Physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • A digital camera or mobile phone with camera features
  • Access to the internet

About This Study

If you are eligible for the study, our friendly study staff will explain the study procedures to you in detail and obtain your informed consent for the study. The study participants will be randomly assigned to either seeing their doctors “in-person” as usual or seeing a doctor “online” for their eczema care. The online doctor can be their own doctor or a board-certified dermatologist. Participants in the online group will upload photos of his/her eczema onto our secure website. The doctor will be able to review the pictures, provide recommendations, and prescribe/refill medications electronically. Participants in the online group do not have to miss work or school to travel to see the doctor for their eczema.

To understand how online care compares with in-person care, all study participants will be asked to complete health questionnaires every 3 months for one year and will be compensated for their time.

Study Team

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Principal Investigator
April W. Armstrong, MD MPH

For questions about this study, contact:

  • Dermatology Research Team Office
  • 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Topping Tower Suite #3427 Los Angeles, California 90033
  • (323)865-3641
  • skinstudy@med.usc.edu
  • Clinical Research Coordinator Nicholas Rosen
  • 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Topping Tower Suite #3427 Los Angeles, California 90033
  • (424)249-9601
  • nicholas.rosen@med.usc.edu

Research study materials

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