Patient Voices Drive Demand for Empathy and Collaboration in dermatological Care
A growing emphasis on patient-centered care is reshaping the landscape of dermatological treatment, with a renewed focus on interaction, trust, and collaborative relationships between healthcare professionals and those living with immune-mediated skin diseases. These insights emerged during a recent round table discussion, “Beyond Treatment: Uniting Voices in Immune-Mediated Dermatological Diseases,” held as part of the DermoCOFM2025 congress in Madrid on Wednesday, October 15th and 16th.
The event, organized by the Official Collage of Pharmacists of Madrid (COFM) and attended by 500 professionals, underscored the critical need to move beyond purely clinical interventions and address the holistic needs of patients. Participants highlighted the importance of fostering a strong connection built on active listening, individualized advice, and a unified approach to patient messaging.
The Central Role of the Community Pharmacist
A key theme throughout the discussion was the unique position of the community pharmacist as a readily accessible and trusted healthcare resource. Blanca Rubio, president of the Amelya Lupus Madrid Association, emphasized the “closeness” of pharmacists, stating they are “the professional we see the most when we are diagnosed” and possess valuable insight into a patient’s personal circumstances. “Pharmacists are very close and that, for us, is essential,” Rubio explained.
She further advocated for improved communication channels between all healthcare providers to enhance cooperation in patient care, acknowledging the vital role patient advocacy groups play in promoting disease awareness and treatment adherence.
Did you know?-Pharmacists are often the most frequently seen healthcare professional for patients newly diagnosed with immune-mediated skin diseases, providing valuable insight into their personal circumstances.
Addressing Stigma and improving Quality of Life
Montserrat Gines, vice president of Acción Psoriasis, pointed to the significant impact of stigma on treatment adherence. She stressed the pharmacist’s crucial role in combating misinformation and providing supportive guidance. “The training you offer us in styles and quality of life is basic,” Gines noted. “All that information does not cure us, but it heals us and improves our quality of life.”
Africa Luca de Tena,head of Communication and co-founder of the Association of People Affected by atopic Dermatitis (AADA),echoed this sentiment,emphasizing the need for empathy,communication,and cooperation in all patient interactions. She described pharmacies as offering “the perfect balance between the feeling of home and expertise of knowledge,” creating “a safe place for patients” to receive individualized care.
Pro tip:-Pharmacies can serve as a “safe place” for patients, offering a balance of comfort and expert knowledge for individualized care.
Leveraging Technology and Strengthening Collaboration
From the perspective of primary care physicians, Renata Muñoz highlighted that approximately 10% of consultations involve skin-related issues, with around 60% being successfully resolved. She also championed the growing use of teledermatology, advising professionals to encourage patients to document the progression of their conditions with photographs for more effective monitoring. “It is very useful for professionals to see this evolution,” Muñoz stated.
Muñoz also underscored the importance of aligning messaging between doctors and pharmacists. “We must be aligned and go in the same direction. Hence the importance of coordination.”
Reader question:-How can teledermatology improve patient monitoring? Encourage patients to document their condition’s progression with photographs for more effective tracking.
pablo de la Cueva, president of the Central Section of the Spanish Association of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and head of the Dermatology Service of the Infanta Leonor University Hospital, reinforced the value of teledermatology and the contributions of patient associations. He also praised pharmacies for their expertise in cosmetic advice and the “implicit continuity of care” they provide, offering reassurance to patients. “It gives me a lot of confidence to have you pharmacists as you are fundamental in cosmetic advice,” he saeid.
The DermoCOFM2025 congress served as a powerful reminder that truly effective dermatological care requires a collaborative, patient-centered approach, prioritizing empathy, open communication, and the unique contributions of all healthcare stakeholders.
