Psoriasis (PsO) is a disease in which rough, scaly patches of skin develop on a significant portion of the body, most commonly the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. This condition has daily negative implications for quality of life that include constant itchiness, psychiatric comorbidities, and social impact, especially in children. 40% of patients with PsO further develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which causes joint pain and swelling that can lead to permanent deformities. Education about PsO and PsA is sorely lacking despite the fact that 85% of dermatologists consider it to be the highest unmet need in PsO/PsA treatment. This lack of education is keenly felt among nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs), who are often tasked as patient-facing clinicians to facilitate conversations about disease management, weigh treatment options, provide counseling, and monitor outcomes. It is crucial that clinicians collaborating with a multidisciplinary care team in the dermatology and rheumatology field be knowledgeable on key patient concerns arising from PsO and PsA to best account for patient needs.
In the first activity of this CME Outfitters BriefCase series, expert faculty utilize case-based learning to guide learners through evaluating the impact of PsO and PsA on individual needs and concerns.
