A Structured Intervention for Medical Students Significantly Improves Awareness of Stigmatisation in Visible Chronic Skin Diseases: A Randomised Controlled Trial

• Main Authors: Rachel Sommer (Author), Natascha-Alexandra Weinberger (Author), Regina von Spreckelsen (Author), Ulrich Mrowietz (Author), Maximilian C. Schielein (Author), Claudia Luck-Sikorski (Author), Matthias Augustin (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Medical Journals Sweden, 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.2340/actadv.v101.894; 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• Keywords: stigmatisation; visible skin diseases; intervention; randomised controlled trial; Dermatology; RL1-803
• Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica, Vol 102 (2022)

People with visible skin diseases often experience stigmatisation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new intervention for medical students to counter the stigmatisation of people with skin diseases. The intervention was evaluated using a randomised controlled design. Effectiveness was assessed at 3 time points. Data from 127 participants were analysed. Regarding the outcome "social distance", a significant difference between the measurement points was observed for the intervention group (χ2(2) = 54.32, p < 0.001), which also showed a significant effect on agreement with negative stereotypes (F(1.67, 118.67) = 23.83, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.25). Regarding the outcome "agreement with disease-related misconceptions", a significant difference between the measurement time points was observed for the intervention group (χ2(2) = 46.33, p < 0.001); similar results were found for the outcome "stigmatising behaviour" (F(1.86, 131.89) = 6.16, p = 0.003, partial η2 = 0.08). The results should encourage medical faculties to invest in such courses in order to prevent stigmatisation of people with skin diseases.