Participants' Satisfaction with the Atopic Dermatitis Education Program: Assessing the Impact of Each Content Using Structural Equation Modeling

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have tried to assess factors relevant to the satisfaction of the participants in atopic dermatitis (AD) educational programs. More systematic modeling of this issue is needed. OBJECTIVE: To examine the benefit of a conjoint educational program for AD on patients and caregivers in a clinical setting. METHODS: In a half-day educational program called “AD school”, 831 people (493 patients and 338 family members) participated for 8 years. Various educational and entertaining programs were provided. The on-site survey was administered to measure participants' satisfaction and perception of the benefit. We applied structural equation modeling to identify the relations among satisfaction and perception. RESULTS: A total of 209 family survey data was obtained and analyzed. The survey items were grouped into four categories. The categories were classified as individual education, group education, fun activity, and overall satisfaction (fun, benefit, intention to re-join and recommend to others). According to the model that we built, comprehensive group education was demonstrated to be the most relevant factor affecting overall satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Our holistic approach would allow dermatologists to improve the efficacy of the conjoint educational program for AD.