The office visit and the self-help concept in treating the patient with psoriasis: a strategy revisited.

All dermatologists and physicians who care for patients with psoriasis should be aware that their patients may have an insufficient understanding of their disease. Every effort should be made to help patients fully comprehend their condition: to become aware of factors that can improve self-care and environmental events that can exacerbate the disorder. Strategies for self-help instructions can be modified from the highly structured approach in a university setting to the more informal atmosphere of a physician's office using the abundant patient educational resources available today. Improving communication between patient and physician will benefit the patient, by providing knowledge about psoriasis, encouraging the patient to acquire specific skills in dealing with the disease, and instilling a sense of responsibility for the patient's involvement in self-care.