Despite clear cut guidelines on the diagnosis and management of AD, several barriers currently exist that prevent the delivery of optimal care, including:
- Low public awareness of atopic dermatitis
- An overburdened and stretched NHS workforce
- Challenges in equitable access to specialist support
To highlight these challenges, and identify opportunities to overcome them, Sanofi has developed a briefing exploring barriers to care and some potential solutions that must be taken forward to help address them.
We have also developed an animation explaining the diagnosis and treatment pathway for patients with atopic dermatitis alongside the barriers faced at each step.
Key Recommendations:
- Integrated care systems must implement clinical pathways for the diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis in line with NICE guidelines to ensure a consistent approach across the country.
- The Government and NHS England must increase the number of dermatology specialists, with compulsory dermatology training in primary care and greater opportunities for GPs with extended roles in dermatology.
- Patient education on AD is important so they can make more informed decisions about their own care, improving self-management, outcomes and reducing pressure on primary care as a result. NHS regional teams and dermatology clinical networks must therefore ensure the provision of adequate patient education and supported self-management as a core part of the treatment pathway.
- ICSs, GPs, dermatology services, mental health teams, and the dermatology patient community should collaboratively establish formal processes to provide mental health support for dermatology patients.
MAT-XU-2303889 V4.0
Date of preparation: May 2025