Dr. Irina Turchin MD, FRCPC shares her views on patient centric health care
ESC met virtually with Dr. Irina Turchin MD, FRCPC, a Fredericton-based dermatologist, researcher, and professor, to learn how new treatments are changing the atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment landscape, and how advocacy is essential for helping patients access these new medications through government and private drug plans. She also shared her view on “patient centric health care” where patients are at the centre of health care decisions.
Research breakthroughs have led to many new therapies currently in development, and some are already available in Canada. Dr. Turchin tells ESC: “For years, there has been what we call a therapeutic drought in AD, but now is a very exciting time where research and advancements are directly improving patient care and we are witnessing rapid and effective improvement in symptoms.”
Two main classes of new agents are biologic drugs and oral JAK inhibitors. These new medicines address important atopic dermatitis pathways in the body and work differently at controlling the symptoms of AD. “There will be intricacy in how to use these medicines to best care for patients,” says Dr. Turchin. “These new options allow dermatologists to better inform their treatment recommendations and decisions and bring a more personalized approach to symptom management.” However, she also stressed that she believes patients need to have a seat at the decision-making table: “Patients always need a voice in their care and treatment plans – as a doctor, it is my role to listen to my patients’ needs and help them feel empowered.”
We asked Dr. Turchin about how she envisions the future of AD treatment in Canada, and she gave practical insights: “We will still start with recommending moisturizing and topical therapies for individuals with mild to moderate AD, but it’s wonderful to have new options for moderate to severe disease that target the eczema pathways and treat the itch, which can negatively impact quality of life.”
What did Dr. Turchin see as the biggest obstacle for patients with AD? Access – meaning patients may not be able to get access to these new treatments through private or government health insurance plans. “Patients need to access these treatments with reasonable criteria – is it fair for a child to have to fail toxic off-label drugs before they get access to proven and studied AD therapies?” She along with a group of dermatologists and allergists from the Atlantic provinces are working to give their input to government decision-makers, stressing that some patients are in desperate need to access these new medications.
While she is hopeful that one day decision-makers will adjust the criteria for reimbursement and make new medications more accessible to those who need them, Dr. Turchin tells us education is key. “We talk about educating patients, caregivers, and physicians, but decision-makers are an important group too. Patients can help by highlighting their experiences with these new treatments as well as the quality-of-life impairment caused by AD.”
ESC thanks Canadian health care providers like Dr. Turchin for their dedication toward improving the lives of Canadian living with AD.
Want to raise your voice too? Visit eczemahelp.ca/what-can-i-do/.
February 2022
