Empowering HS Clinicians and Patients: Educational Resources and Community Connection

In the final episode, ‘Empowering HS Clinicians and Patients: Educational Resources and Community Connection,’ the panelists explore the broad range of resources that clinicians can share with patients as they leave the office, recognizing that a single clinic visit cannot cover everything patients need to know about managing their disease. Dr. Resnik describes his practice of providing patients with a written action plan to take home, supplemented by portal uploads covering topics such as mediator release testing, laser hair reduction, recommended cleansers, over-the-counter therapies, emerging supplements like BPC157 and curcumin, and guidance on intimacy, acknowledging the profound impact that chronic disease has on patients' personal relationships and the importance of addressing this openly.

Both physicians place particular emphasis on directing patients to peer support communities, with Dr. Resnik identifying this as among the most important resources a clinician can offer. He highlights the deeply isolating nature of HS, noting that patients rarely feel comfortable disclosing their condition socially, and stresses that connecting them to patient-run support groups, including those tailored to adolescents and non-English speakers, can be transformative in helping them feel less alone. Dr. Hsiao echoes this sentiment and specifically mentions Hope for HS, HS Connect, the International Association for HS Network, the HS Foundation website, and hspatientguide.com as valuable, patient-friendly destinations for information and community.

For clinicians looking to deepen their engagement with HS, Dr. Resnik highlights HS Place, a listserv he founded that connects over 250 HS experts including dermatologists, surgeons, nurse practitioners, and PhDs from around the world, and invites interested colleagues to reach out to him directly to join. Both physicians close with a shared hope that more clinicians will embrace HS as a core part of their practice, that patients will be seen and treated earlier, and that the growing community of HS advocates will continue to drive meaningful progress for patients.

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