If you’re newly diagnosed, have questions about psoriasis, or are not sure whether your current therapy is control your condition, talking to your doctor or dermatologist can help. It’s important for your doctor to know about how your condition is progressing.
This Doctor Discussion Guide will help you talk to your doctor about your psoriasis. Just fill in the blanks and select the appropriate response, then print off your answers and bring them to your doctor’s visit.
Talking to your doctor about your psoriasis:
Things I have tried or currently do to help my psoriasis:
| Activity | Effectiveness? | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily baths | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Moisturizers | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Cover affected area with plastic wrap after applying medication | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Sunlight exposure | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Seek out and eliminate triggers | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Support group | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Cover-ups | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Other: | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Other: | (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | |
| Type of medication | Name of medication | Dr who prescribed | When prescribed | Comments on reactions or effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topical treatments (applied to the skin) | ||||
| Systemic treatments | ||||
| Biologics | ||||
| Light therapy | ||||
How satisfied are you with your current psoriasis treatment?
| (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | ||
How willing are you to try a different treatment?
| (Not satisfied) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | (Very satisfied) | ||
Questions about psoriasis:
Your doctor’s visit is your opportunity to ask any psoriasis-related questions that may be on your mind. You may want to write down your questions ahead of time and bring a pen and paper to take notes.
- How could psoriasis affect my life, and what complications may develop?
- What kind of psoriasis do I have?
- When should I come back for my next checkup? Are there any warning signs that mean I should contact medical help or come back sooner?
- What support groups and services are available in my area?
These are just a few of the many questions you may want to ask your doctor about psoriasis. Feel free to talk to your doctor about any questions you may have. Write down any additional questions or concerns ahead of time (use the space below), and bring your list with you.
Additional questions I have
Notes:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
