Clinical Report: Connected Health May Match In-Person AD Care
Overview
A randomized clinical trial demonstrated that a team-based connected health model for atopic dermatitis (AD) provided improvements in disease severity and symptoms comparable to conventional in-person care over 12 months. The study involved 300 patients and showed equivalent outcomes in both care models.
Background
The management of atopic dermatitis is critical due to its chronic nature and impact on quality of life. Recent guidelines emphasize structured, evidence-based approaches for both pediatric and adult populations. The shift to connected health models, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted investigations into their efficacy compared to traditional in-person care.
Data Highlights
| Outcome Measure | Connected Health | In-Person Care |
|---|---|---|
| Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) | Equivalent improvement | Equivalent improvement |
| Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) | Equivalent improvement | Equivalent improvement |
| Validated Investigator Global Assessment (vIGA) | Equivalent improvement | Equivalent improvement |
| In-person visits | 6 patients | 2.4 visits per participant |
Key Findings
- The connected health model demonstrated equivalent improvements in EASI compared to in-person care.
- Patient-reported symptoms measured by POEM showed similar outcomes across both care models.
- Physician-assessed disease severity via vIGA also met equivalence criteria.
- Only six patients in the connected health group required in-person visits, compared to an average of 2.4 in the conventional group.
- Safety outcomes were comparable, with no serious adverse events related to the interventions.
- High participant retention was noted, with over 95% completing follow-up assessments.
Clinical Implications
The findings suggest that a team-based connected health model can effectively manage atopic dermatitis, potentially expanding access to care. Clinicians may consider integrating such models into practice to enhance patient management while reducing the need for in-person visits.
Conclusion
This study indicates that connected health models can achieve clinical outcomes similar to traditional care for atopic dermatitis, supporting their use as a viable alternative in patient management.
Related Resources & Content
- Armstrong AW, et al., JAMA Dermatology, 2026 -- Online vs In-Person Care for Atopic Dermatitis
- Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients, PubMed, 2026
- Update of the evidence- and consensus-based S3 guideline on atopic dermatitis, PMC, 2026
- Journal of General Internal Medicine — Optimization of Virtual and In-Person Care Coordination Between VA Primary Care and Mental Health Teams: A Qualitative Study
- JAMA Network Open — Hybrid Hospital at Home and Physical Activity for Adults Admitted to the Hospital With Acute Illness: A
- npj Digital Medicine — Can human connection amplify digital health outcomes? Familial involvement in a mobile health app
- Optometric Management — cybercare: Staying Connected
- Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients - PubMed
- Update of the evidence- and consensus-based S3 guideline on atopic dermatitis: Systemic therapy with biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors and specific aspects of systemic therapy in pregnancy and lactation - PMC
- Online vs In-Person Care for Atopic Dermatitis
- Journal of Medical Internet Research - Smartphone-Based Digital Eczema Education Program for Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 0 to 6 Years: Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel Controlled Clinical Study
- Effectiveness of Teledermatology on Clinical, Patient-Reported, and Operational Outcomes: A Systematic Review - PMC
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