An exploratory study into nurses' understanding and knowledge of children and young people with eczema

This is an exploratory research project that enquires into the capabilities of three different groups of paediatric-trained nurses to meet the needs of children and young people with eczema, one of the commonest of chronic conditions of childhood. Data methodology included vignettes and associated questionnaire, which was used with three groups of nurses working with children and young people: students; qualified children's nurses and school nurses. The findings indicated a low level of dermatology nursing knowledge about basic skin care and that some nurses even appeared to avoid those who were disfigured by skin disease. It also raises some questions about whether the disfiguring nature of skin disorders such as eczema can affect a nurse's decision-making ability.