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A screening programme for dermatologists as a guide to request psychological consultation in routine clinical practice

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The psychosocial impact of skin conditions is usually evaluated in research settings.

Objectives

To define predictors that can be used by dermatologists to refer patients for psychological consultation or psychotherapy using a simple screening instrument.

Materials & Methods

A questionnaire to evaluate possible anxiety and depression (12-item General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]) was routinely used over a period of two months in an Italian dermatological reference centre.

Results

Of 651 patients, 508 (78%) completed the GHQ-12. Of the total sample, 35.2% scored 4 or more (psychological consultation suggested), and 15.7% scored 7 or more (psychological consultation recommended). Probable depression or anxiety was more frequent in women than in men, in patients born in foreign countries, and in patients with leg ulcers, pemphigoid, and psoriasis.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that a simple instrument may be useful for dermatologists to detect patients at risk of psychological problems and subsequently refer them for psychological consultation.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Director, Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti (IDI-IRCCS, FLMM), Rome, Italy

    Annarita Panebianco

  2. Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti (IDI-IRCCS, FLMM), Rome, Italy

    Francesca Sampogna, Maria Luisa Iemboli & Damiano Abeni

  3. Hospital Information System, Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti (IDI-IRCCS, FLMM), Rome, Italy

    Luciano Sobrino

  4. Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti (IDI-IRCCS, FLMM), Rome, Italy

    Elisabetta Andreoli & Valeria Antinone

  5. 1st Dermatological Clinic, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti (IDI-IRCCS, FLMM), Rome, Italy

    Cinzia Mazzanti

Authors
  1. Annarita Panebianco
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  2. Francesca Sampogna
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  3. Maria Luisa Iemboli
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  4. Luciano Sobrino
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  5. Elisabetta Andreoli
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  6. Valeria Antinone
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  7. Cinzia Mazzanti
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  8. Damiano Abeni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Damiano Abeni.

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Panebianco, A., Sampogna, F., Iemboli, M.L. et al. A screening programme for dermatologists as a guide to request psychological consultation in routine clinical practice. Eur J Dermatol 28, 326–331 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3316

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3316

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