Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Specialist dermatology doctors confirm the diagnosis of clients suffering from debilitating skin diseases in the Tertiary hospital, also known as level three hospitals. The client with chronic debilitating skin diseases��, medication and skin treatment care plans are prescribed by the dermatology skin specialist, they are than referred to the Community Health Centers for monthly followup care and collection of their three monthly treatments. The client with chronic debilitating skin diseases appears not to utilize the Community Health Center�s for follow-up care; they rather arrive at the specialist dermatology clinic more frequently without a booking. The study used triangulated design to get a broad picture of the attitude, knowledge and self-care practices of clients with debilitating skin diseases .The quantitative and qualitative concurrent data revealed the reasons for unbooked specialist clinic attendance; issues that influenced by self-care practices; lack of knowledge about their skin condition; feelings of self- worth. In this manner the specialist dermatology clinic obtains a detailed picture of factors that influence the dermatology clients� reasons for not utilizing the Community Health Centre and arriving at the specialist clinics as an un-booked case. The results reveled that clients with debilitating skin diseases provided reasons for unbooked specialist clinic attendance such as; my chronic skin condition is urgent now; unavailability of medication at the Community Health Centre; Medication supply from my specialist dermatology clinic was insufficient. These issues were further influenced by self-care practices such as avoidance to follow prescribed application of prescribed medication, insufficient medication due to missed appointments at Community Health Centre; worsening of chronic skin condition due to non-use of medication, preferred care from to be from traditional healers. The clients revealed issues such as lack of knowledge about their skin condition, poor insight into the adherence and compliance of the medication. The debilitating skin disease appears to affect the feelings of self- worth, and therefore the clients� revealed feelings of self-consciousness to appear in public and feelings of frustration as well as shy and less beautiful. The study provides a guiding tool to the challenges clients face in dealing with chronic debilitating skin diseases. The study findings will provide a stepping stone for the health care practitioners to motivate for psychological support for all these clients post diagnoses.

Biography

Rachel Davids, Masters Student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). She completed undergraduate nursing training at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1984. Genecology Outpatients’ department and Pediatric and medical wards. 10 years as unit manager for the specialist dermatology clinic.

Email: Rachell.Davids@westerncape.gov.za