# Healthcare professionals' views on psychological support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK: A qualitative study

## TL;DR

UK healthcare professionals highlight the need for better psychological support for children and families dealing with skin conditions, noting regional disparities and service barriers.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the psychological challenges and service gaps faced by children with skin conditions and their caregivers across the UK.

## Key findings

- Children with skin conditions often experience anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
- Psychological support services for these children are unevenly distributed across the UK.
- Barriers to psychological care include lack of funding and training for healthcare professionals.

## Abstract

Skin conditions can have a psychological impact on a child and their caregivers, however, support is not equally distributed between geographical regions in the United Kingdom (UK).

This study aimed to investigate the experience of National Health Service (NHS) healthcare professionals (HCPs) of addressing the psychological needs of children with skin conditions and their families, and gain expert opinion as to how services need to further develop.

HCPs were recruited to a qualitative study with an advert posted on social media.

Fifteen HCPs took part in interviews, including dermatologists (n = 4), dermatology nurse consultants/specialists (n = 4), clinical psychologists (n = 4), liaison psychiatrists (n = 2), and a children's psychological well‐being practitioner (n = 1).

Thematic analysis revealed children often presented with anxiety, depression, self‐harm and suicidal ideation. The impact on caregivers was equally profound. There were differences in service provision across the UK and all HCPs recognised the urgent need for psychological support to be integrated into standard care. Participants described how a range of interventions are typically required including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and systemic approaches, as well as mindfulness/third‐wave approaches. Barriers to the delivery of psychological services were associated with a lack of funding and training opportunities for core and specialist staff alike. However, in some instances, participants had overcome these challenges to be able to deliver unique services.

There exist several barriers to providing paediatric psychological interventions, and many locations across the UK remain vulnerable as a result of continuing lack of national guidelines for the provision of psychological services.