Retrospective Study on SMS Follow-up and Information to Physicians for Patients with Acne

• Published in: The Journal of Community Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 85 - 91
• Main Authors: Miyahara, Maiko, Kawate, Hayato, Yurino, Satoshi, Shimanuki, Eiji, Fujiyoshi, Yuji, Hayashi, Hiroya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Pharmacy Society of Japan 2024; 一般社団法人 日本薬局学会
• Subjects: acne; follow-up; information to physicians; pharmacist; short message service (SMS); ざ瘡; ショートメッセージサービス（SMS）; フォローアップ; 医師への情報提供; 薬局薬剤師
• ISSN: 1884-3077; 2434-3242
• DOI: 10.32160/yakkyoku.cr.2023-0017

In Japan, the treatment of acne has advanced with the approval of adapalene, topical benzoyl peroxide, and other drugs, as well as the development of treatment guidelines in 2017. However, a prior study indicated that 8.9% of cases continued into the maintenance phase after treatment in the acute inflammatory phase. Follow-up by pharmacists after dispensing medication is primarily conducted via telephone, but it is essential to consider the school or work hours of patients with acne. In this study, we investigated cases of follow-up through short message service (SMS) and verified the content of the consultations, the provision of information to physicians, and the continuation of dispensing. The results showed that 60.4% of the patients responded to the SMS, and pharmacists successfully followed up with these patients. Among the patients who provided information to their physicians with patient consent, 69.9% received a second dispensing. In contrast, among the patients who did not provide information, only 30.2% received a second dispensing, indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). This study underscores the potential of SMS as an effective follow-up tool for patients with acne and highlights the importance of providing information to physicians.