Conclusion

Those living with long-term conditions are required to a degree to self-manage their condition with the support of health professionals to ensure that treatment is utilised effectively. This issue is often highly problematic since many people do not know how to use their treatment to optimum levels, leading to difficulties of treatments being ineffective, due to poor adherence. Optimal treatment adherence is that which has arisen from a planned consultation between the practitioner and patient, embracing education and support, to ensure that treatment and condition beliefs and expectations are understood and acted upon. The systematic assessment of educational needs is a vital component of helping a person to live with their chronic skin condition. A concordance process provides an optimal model for engaging the patient in decisions regarding their treatment. However, there is also a need to recognise the limitations of self-management when the person cannot manage their condition effectively. This needs to be built into the educational process to ensure that the person utilises the health service effectively. Non-medical prescribing is an important strategy for improving access to medicines and promoting education surrounding medicines management – provided by suitably qualified staff who can both prescribe and teach patients about their medication and how to use it for optimum benefit.