The Atopic Dermatitis Shared Decision-Making Tool: Implementing the AHEAD Approach in Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND: The use of shared decision-making (SDM) in atopic dermatitis (AD) management guidelines is limited. OBJECTIVE: To develop a tool for implementing the Aiming High in Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis (AHEAD) SDM approach in AD clinical practice. METHODS: The international group of 7 expert dermatologists responsible for leading the development of the AHEAD approach initially drafted the tool. A global patient research study and an advisory board that included the leaders of 10 patient advocacy groups captured global patient and nonclinician considerations. RESULTS: The AD SDM tool provides a simple, practical tool for implementing SDM using the AHEAD approach in clinical practice. The tool enables patients to identify and rank their most troublesome AD symptoms, and clinicians to tailor treatment targets to address them. The tool will enable patients to better communicate their disease burden, increase treatment adherence, and improve continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS: The AD SDM tool provides a simple, practical tool for implementing SDM using the AHEAD approach. The consolidation of routine outcome measures should streamline the collection and interpretation of clinically relevant patient information. Feedback from patients and clinicians who use the tool will allow for the assessment of its value in clinical practice.