ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We recently reported on the dermatological diagnostic ability of primary healthcare
professionals. This study was conducted remotely at a secure website containing 10 dermatological
vignettes. In an attempt to gather user feedback on the site, participants were asked to complete an
evaluation form after completion of each vignette.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to explore the feedback provided by participants
involved in the study.
METHODS: Data gathered from the evaluation form for each vignette was downloaded as an ms
Excel® file and imported into SPSS (version 19) for subsequent descriptive analysis.
RESULTS: Sixty participants (20 each of GPs, nurses and community pharmacists) completed all 10
vignettes. More than half of GPs had seen each of the conditions in practice whereas the figure for
nurses and pharmacists was more variable. For virtually all skin conditions, over 50% of all participants
felt that the digital image used was a good representation of the problem. Using a 5 point scale (1 =
not useful and 5 = very useful) a median value of 4 (all vignettes) was obtained for the usefulness of
the background material as an aid to the diagnosis. Over 90 per cent of participants agreed with the
diagnosis and management of all cases. Positive feedback on the vignettes was received by several
participants.
CONCLUSION: The vignettes were well received by participants and there was general agreement with
the clinical interpretation of the skin conditions. The site has some potential for use as an educational
tool for health professionals.
Key words: website, skin conditions, primary healthcare professionals.
© SELFCARE 2014
33
Accepted for publication February 2014
SelfCare 2014;5(2):33-44
ARTICLE
Advancing the study & understanding of self- care
AN EVALUATION OF A DERMATOLOGY VIGNETTE WEBSITE:
WHAT USERS THOUGHT.
ROD TUCKER, MAHENDRA PATEL, ALISON M LAYTON, SHERNAZ WALTON
Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, UK
University of Huddersfield, UK
Harrogate and District Hospital, Harrogate, UK
Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Clinical Reader, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK