ABSTRACT
Objectives: Patch testing requires optimal technique and patient counseling over multiple visits. 1,2 Recommendations exist to guide in-office removal of patch testing 3,4 seldomly addressing removal by patients. To address the need for improved patient education 3,5,6,7 and minimize exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic, 8 we created a patient tool to conduct patch testing self-removal. Methods: An English and Spanish instructional video depicting patch testing self-removal steps and best practices was shared with intervention group participants. Control group participants received standard counseling. All completed surveys (pre-/ post- in intervention group) measuring confidence and knowledge on a Likert Scale. Dermatologists additionally measured adherence to recommendations through a five-category physician assessment (PA). Group characteristics and survey results were compared with chi-square tests and paired/unpaired t-tests, respectively. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of forty-three participants (20 intervention and 23 control) who were demographically similar, most were female, English-speaking, younger than 50 and Non-Hispanic White. Confidence in performing (pre-M = 3.5, post-M = 4.5, p = 0.0008) and describing (pre-M = 3.1, post-M = 4.5, p = 0.0002) self-removal of patch testing increased in the intervention group but not when these were compared to the control (Mi = 4.5,Mc = 4.3, p = 0.5 and Mi = 4.5,Mc = 4.6, p = 0.8). Knowledge (80 and 100% content questions correct) and adherence (80% achieved max PA score) were high but unchanged after the intervention (pre, post-M = 1.8 in Q1, pre, post- M= 1 in Q2) and comparing to controls (Mi = 1.8,Mc = 1.9, p = 0.6 in Q1,Mi, Mc = 1, p = 0.3 in Q2, Mi = 0.8, Mc = 0.9, p = 0.6 in PA). Conclusions: Our tool increased confidence in the self-removal process, highlighting its utility to improve communication and outcomes without additional visits.