Perception of stigmatization in people with psoriasis-qualitative analysis from the perspective of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals

BackgroundNumerous studies have shown that psoriasis is associated with severe losses in almost all dimensions of health-related quality of life. An important aspect is the stigmatization experience of those affected.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the perception of stigmatization from the perspective of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals using aqualitative approach.Material and methodsQualitative surveys in the form or focus groups and interviews with patients, relatives and healthcare providers were conducted. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe results show that stigmatization is perceived by all groups surveyed. It also became clear that self-stigmatization plays aspecial role. Affected persons, relatives and medical care providers described self-stigmatization as the greatest burden or restriction of affected persons in various areas of life, such as work, leisure and partnership. There were no crucial differences between sex or age groups.ConclusionPossible knowledge deficits of non-affected persons and wrong assumptions of the affected persons about the attitudes of non-affected persons can be reduced, for example, in the context of encounters between affected persons and non-affected persons as well as between affected persons and medical care providers and thus reduce the public as well as the self-stigma.