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

Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Center: Keck School of Medicine of University of South California
Location: This is a virtual study. Participation is limited to Southern California.
Lead Doctor: Dr. April Armstrong, MD, MPH
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of South California Institutional Review Board (IRB number: HS-16-00914; version date: 25-May-2020)
Protocol title: Team-based Connected Health to Improve Clinical Outcomes and Access in Atopic Dermatitis
Version date: 06/10/2020

Background

Patients with persistent skin diseases may experience poor health outcomes due to the lack of regular access to dermatologists. In-person visits may become costly to travel, time-consuming, and might make one miss work or school.  In this study, participants will have the opportunity to receive care online. Currently, some platforms make “online visits” possible. These visits allow patients to meet up with their doctors virtually. During these online visits, patients can describe their health status, receive recommendations, and prescriptions from their doctors from anywhere at their preferred time.

Researchers want to compare the effectiveness of online visits versus traditional in-person visits. This study seeks to find out if using online platforms improves accessibility to health care services, the quality of life, and healthcare costs among those with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Interested participants must be 1 year old or older and must be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (eczema) by a physician. Participants below 18 years old must have parental or legal guardian consent to join the study. This study is a virtual study that requires those eligible to participate for up to 12 months.  

Why Participate? 

  • You may experience a reduction or elimination of travel time and expense.
  • You may have access to online visits with a dermatologist at no cost.
  • You may have access to the study website at no cost.
  • You may help others with atopic dermatitis (eczema) in the future.
  • You will be compensated up to $250 for participating in this study.
  • You may help researchers advance telemedicine. 
  • You will be helping advance research in dermatology.

Your Rights

  • If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you may withdraw at any time.
  • Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
  • Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

  • Ages 1 year old and above who have been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (eczema) by a physician.
    • Please note that those under 18 years old will need the consent of a parent or legal guardian to participate in this study.
  • Must have internet access.
  • Able to comply with the following study requirements for over approximately 12 months:
    • Must complete an online questionnaire every 3 months plus a baseline questionnaire.

Please note:

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to note the following:

  • This is a virtual study which means you can participate in the comfort of your own home. 
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no in-person visits or clinic appointments in this study.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no need to have close interactions with any person.

What’s Next?

  1. Click the link below to enter your contact details and answer some eligibility questions.
  2. The research centre will then contact you by phone to discuss the trial and answer your questions.
Click Here to Check Your Eligibility

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