Patient Corner
One of the EADV's main missions is to act as advocate and educator of patients, particularly those with cutaneous or venereal diseases. Our vision is indeed to cooperate closely with our patients to achieve the continuous improvement of clinical care, to innovate and to support their rights.
To improve and raise the dialogue at an international level, the EADV works through the Patient Association Working Group (PWG) to develop and execute collaborative efforts with Patient Associations.
The programme has grown in recent years, i.e. by organising an annual Patient Society Village and patient-centered sessions during congresses, as well as other activities and the scope of the programme will likely continue to expand.
The PWG is really looking forward to building productive relationships with the patient community. Congresses are the ideal opportunities to achieve this goal and to highlight the importance of patient involvement.
Listening to the voice of patients enables us to improve the quality of dermatological care and build strong lines of communication.
Recommendations and general advice for patients
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EADV is providing practical information for patients including recommendations and general advice (click the red button below) and a video with suggestions on how to take better photos for teledermatological visits. (PDF 476kb)
Patient Society Village
To improve the dermatological health paradigm, there must be a fundamental collaborative partnership between the patient and the key healthcare providers. The EADV actively works to advance this theme with the patient community and strengthen productive relationships with patient leaders to explore how different roles and perspectives can be joined together to extend dermatological support.
Launched in 2015 during the annual Congress in Copenhagen, the EADV is proposing year after year a Patient Society Village during its main Congress. We kindly invite patient advocacy organisations to take part in this initiative; bring the patient voice to engage and encourage communication between the parties. In this dedicated area, you will have the opportunity to showcase the work of your organisation, to promote patient advocacy resources and services to the professional dermatology and venereology community, and stimulate interactions with meeting attendees.
What is Dermatology?
Dermatology is the science of the skin and its diseases. The skin is the outer barrier between the organism and the environment, preventing drying out of the body an penetration of foreign substances. Other essential functions include thermoregulation; protection against mechanical, chemical, ultraviolet and microbial insults; initiation and execution of immune reaction, as the most peripheral outpost of the immune system; and perception of touch, heat and cold, pain, itch and other sensations. Dermatology as a specialty is differently defined in the European countries. Core dermatology consists of medical dermatology, venereology (except United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta) and dermatosurgery as well as dermatopathology.
What is Venereology?
Venereogy is the science of the sexually transmitted infections (STI). In 26 of the 29 European countries, dermatologists are recognised as specialists for both skin diseases and STIs. From its beginning in the 18th century, dermatology has been involved with the study of STI, the reason being that syphilis, which was extremely common in Europe, presents with a broad range of cutaneous findings. Many other STIs have cutaneous manifestations, so that in daily practice, dermatologists often counsel, diagnose and treat STI patients.
Patient Society Village - 24th EADV Congress Copenhagen 2015
The EADV launched its very first Patient Society Village at the 2015 EADV Congress in Copenhagen as an initiative for planned enforced cooperation and activities in the future. View some of the messages, challenges and wishes of some of the interviewed participating societies.