Psoriasis Awareness Month is a crucial time to raise awareness about this chronic autoimmune disease and its impact on millions worldwide. And as healthcare providers, we play a key role in advocating for patients, educating the public, and supporting those living with psoriasis.
So let's transform this awareness month into action!
Show Support and Build Community
- Wear Orange and Lavender: Encourage your colleagues and patients to wear these official Psoriasis Awareness Month colors as a visual symbol of support and solidarity.
- Organize a Support Group: Consider providing a safe space for patients with psoriasis to connect, share experiences, and offer peer-to-peer support.
- Host a Patient Education Event: Organize a public event featuring expert speakers and patient stories to raise awareness in your community.
Spread Awareness Through Educational Activities
- Organize Lunch-and-Learns: Host informative sessions for colleagues within your practice or hospital. Focus on sharing tips and insights supported by multidisciplinary teams to take holistic approaches to care.
- Develop Patient Materials: Create clear and concise pamphlets or infographics on psoriasis basics, treatment options, and available resources. Offer these materials in waiting rooms or during consultations.
- Embrace Social Media Awareness: Use professional social media platforms to share informative and educational posts about psoriasis for both healthcare professionals and patients. Tag posts with relevant hashtags like #PsoriasisAwarenessMonth, #PsoriasisWarrior, and #BreakTheStigma, to name a few, to connect with the online community.
Champion Change by Becoming a Psoriasis Advocate
- Legislative Advocacy: Reach out to your local representatives and advocate for policies that improve access to affordable and effective psoriasis treatments. You can find resources and talking points through the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) at www.psoriasis.org.
- Raise Your Voice at Conferences: Whether presenting research or attending industry events, use the platform to highlight the challenges faced by psoriasis patients and the need for continued research and support.
- Connect with Patient Advocacy Groups: Partner with local or national patient advocacy groups like the NPF to amplify your voice and support their initiatives.
Beyond these monthly activities, healthcare providers can integrate ongoing support for patients with psoriasis through several key strategies:
- Maintain knowledge on the latest advancements in psoriasis treatment
- Prioritize patient communication; actively listen to patients' concerns and work collaboratively to develop personalized treatment plans and improve outcomes
- Emphasize the emotional impact of psoriasis, recognizing its significant effect on mental health
- Screen for anxiety and depression routinely and offer referrals to mental health professionals when needed
By implementing these approaches, healthcare providers can offer comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of psoriasis management. But these action steps for Psoriasis Awareness Month don’t have to end in August. In fact, World Psoriasis Day occurs in November, which is another springboard for advocacy, support, and education.
And so we can continue supporting our patients year round by staying up to date on the latest treatments, actively listening to their concerns, and recognizing the emotional toll of this disease.
