A Provider Global Assessment Quality Measure for Clinical Practice for Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Publication date: Available online 20 September 2018

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): International Dermatology Outcome Measures and the American Academy of Dermatology, Alice Gottlieb, Nicole Salame, April W. Armstrong, Joseph F. Merola, Sylvia Parra, Junko Takeshita, Suephy C. Chen, John Latella, Marta Van Beek

Abstract

In our evolving healthcare system, dermatologists are increasingly being asked to prove the value of care they provide to patients with severe skin diseases. Current quality measures for inflammatory dermatoses have limited validity and feasibility. Through collaboration and a modified Delphi process, the International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) group and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) sought to reach consensus on a valid and feasible provider-assessed global disease severity metric to be incorporated into a quality measure for inflammatory dermatoses. To inform the modified Delphi process, a review of the literature was performed, and data was collected on current provider-assessed global disease severity metrics. Following literature review, 36 members of IDEOM and the AAD participated in the modified Delphi process to reach consensus on features of the metric. Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and acne achieved overwhelming consensus for inflammatory dermatoses that could be measured in a global disease severity metric. Consensus was also reached on the utilization of a 5-point ordinal scale with descriptors provided through referenced electronic platforms. Expert development of quality measures incorporating this metric and its inclusion in data collection platforms are critical to enabling dermatologists to prove the value of care provided to patients with severe inflammatory dermatoses.