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Have your tried a virtual consultation?

Have your tried a virtual consultation?

Have you tried a virtual consultation?

Virtual doctors’ appointments have been becoming increasingly common for a while as they help to make healthcare more convenient. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual appointment could be an ideal solution for some situations, in particular by reducing the risk of infection caused by close contact. If you can’t get to your doctor, for whatever reason, you may not need to abandon your appointment – you might be able to have one in the comfort of your living room instead, sometimes via a video call facility like FaceTime or Skype.

6 ways to make a virtual consultation work for you:

1. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed.
2. Make notes beforehand with anything you’d like to discuss - be specific about your concerns, symptoms and questions.
3. Ask your doctor how to securely send through pictures of your skin or swollen joints, and if possible, photos of how they might have changed.
4. Try to take pictures in bright, natural light, without makeup, and from a few different angles.
5. Be prepared to answer questions about your medical history.
6. Stick to any advice or instructions that you’re given.

Although you may still need to see a healthcare professional in person, a virtual consultation could give you what you need, including advice, peace of mind and a treatment plan.

If you have concerns about COVID-19 and receiving biological or immunosuppressant treatment, EUROPSO, the European umbrella organisation for psoriatic disease movements, states that this is not an at-risk group for developing severe forms of coronavirus. They ask that patients don’t make changes to treatment regimens without speaking to a healthcare professional. Please visit their website for more information.

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References

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National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis Accessed: November 2023.
[2]
Creakyjoints. Psoriatic arthritis flare-ups. Available at: https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-flare-ups/ Accessed: November 2023.
[3]
NHS. Psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/ Accessed: November 2023.
[4]
NHS. Psoriasis treatments. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/treatment/ Accessed: November 2023
[5]
Lee MP et al. Arthritis Care Res 2018;70(5): 791-6.
[6]
NICE. Apremilast for treating active psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta433 Accessed: November 2023
[7]
Versus Arthritis. Ciclosporin. Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23512/ciclosporin-information-booklet-april2021.pdf Accessed: November 2023
[8]
AAD. Psoriatic arthritis treatment. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/psoriatic-arthritis-treatment Accessed: November 2023
[9]
British Association of Dermatologists. Fumaric acid esters. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/dimethyl-fumarate/ Accessed: November 2023
[10]
Ceglowska U, et al. Value in Health 2014: PSS6.
[11]
Arthritis Foundation. NSAIDs. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/nsaids/nsaids Accessed: November 2023
[12]
NHS. Biological and biosimilar medicines. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/biological-and-biosimilar-medicines/ Accessed: November 2023
[13]
National Psoriasis Foundation. Biologics. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/biologics Accessed: November 2023
[14]
British Association of Dermatologists. Guidelines for biologic therapy for psoriasis. 2017. Accessed: November 2023.
[15]
Verywell Health. Treating psoriatic arthritis with JAK inhibitors. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/jak-inhibitors-psa-treatment-research-side-effects-4690551 Accessed: November 2023.
[16]
British Association of Dermatologists. Topical treatments for psoriasis. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/psoriasis-topical-treatments/ Accessed: November 2023.
[17]
GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: https://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=1584070677 Accessed: November 2023.