Web application for assisting non-dermatology physicians in learning and managing patients with common cutaneous adverse drug reactions: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) remain a challenge for non-dermatologists. Medical-related applications to assist in learning about and managing patients with CADRs are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a web application for non-dermatologists in managing CADRs by comparing the knowledge scores of users and non-users.Materials and Methods A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2023 and May 2023. Clinician participants were randomized (1:1) into the application and control groups using a simple randomization method. Knowledge scores between the groups were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the web application, and participants’ perspectives on the application were also collected.Results A total of 44 clinician participants were included in the final analysis. The median age was 33.0 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.5–35.0) and predominantly female (56.8%). The score in the application group (median, 27.0; 95% CI, 25.0–28.0) was significantly higher than that in the control group (median, 14.0; 95% CI 13.0–17.0) (p < 0.001). There were no differences in scores between the sex groups (p = 0.695), between general practitioners (GPs) and non-GPs (p = 0.93), or among groups with different frequencies of evaluation of patients with CADRs (p = 0.266). In addition, the participants in the application group rated a high level of overall satisfaction.Conclusion The web application for CADRs is an effective and convenient tool for assisting non-dermatologist physicians in learning and providing initial management with a high level of satisfaction. However, prospective long-term randomized controlled studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this tool.

Keywords

• Web application
• drug eruptions
• continuing medical education
• knowledge
• prognosis