Opportunities, Challenges in Digital Media and Psoriasis

Patients with psoriasis increasingly turn to digital media for information, support, and alternative therapies, but many encounter misinformation and commercial bias.1 A new study from Germany highlights both the benefits and drawbacks of online resources while calling for stronger physician engagement and more reliable platforms to better support patient care.

This qualitative interview study is published in BMC Public Health.

A study explores how people with psoriasis use digital media, revealing benefits, pitfalls, and gaps in physician-patient communication. | Image credit: Farknot Architect - stock.adobe.com

“This study provides in-depth insight into psoriasis-related digital media use, as perceived by individuals affected by psoriasis, to strengthen the potential of use and counteract disadvantages in targeted interventions,” wrote the researchers of the study. “The present study revealed perceived advantages of digital media like a positive impact on well-being, the absence of stigmatization, and access to other therapy options.”

Social media has emerged as a space patients are increasingly turning to for health care information.2 A recent study examining psoriasis-related content on TikTok found a significant amount of misinformation, much of it originating from patient experiences and health/wellness influencers. Although patient videos were the most common—and often popular—many showed harmful practices, such as physically removing psoriatic plaques, which may worsen symptoms. Of the educational videos analyzed, 55% met reliability standards, primarily those produced by dermatologists, whereas 45% were deemed unreliable, often promoting unproven dietary changes over prescribed treatments.

Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with individuals affected by psoriasis between August 2020 and January 2022 in Germany.1 Participants were recruited through digital media platforms, professional networks, and in-person outreach at a university hospital dermatology department in southern Germany. Interviews were carried out via video call, recorded, and subsequently pseudonymized to protect participants’ identities. Verbatim transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis method, which also enabled a quantitative assessment of category placements to identify key themes and patterns in participants’ experiences with digital media use.

The study included 8 participants, evenly split by gender, with a median age (IQR) of 40.5 (25-80) years. There were 4 major themes that emerged from the analysis: strengths and difficulties of digital media in the context of psoriasis, its role in the physician-patient relationship, and suggestions for improvement. Participants highlighted benefits such as improved well-being and access to alternative therapy options but also reported frustrations with poor-quality information and the influence of commercial interests. Although most noted that digital media use was not typically discussed with physicians, those who did raise it often experienced negative reactions.

Overall, participants expressed a desire for more reliable online resources and closer collaboration between health care professionals and digital media platforms to enhance patient support and care.

However, the researchers acknowledged some limitations. A key limitation of this study is the small sample size of only 8 participants, which restricted the generalizability of the findings. The recruitment process, conducted through digital platforms, professional contacts, and a single university hospital, may also have introduced selection bias, favoring individuals already engaged with digital media or health care settings. In addition, the reliance on self-reported experiences carried the risk of recall bias and subjective interpretation. Finally, as the study was conducted in Germany, cultural and health care system factors may have limited the applicability of results to broader, more diverse populations.

Despite these limitations, the researchers believe the study highlights the potential benefits of digital media in psoriasis care, while also noting the challenges that need to be addressed to create a better online care experience.

“These findings could be used to enhance or, if necessary, to expand the existing digital media offerings,” wrote the researchers. “Moreover, future research should explore how e-health literacy interventions can be tailored to individuals with chronic skin conditions, considering their emotional needs and patterns of engagement in digital media. Comparative studies across different countries or health systems could help identify structural factors that shape health-related digital media use. In addition, further investigation is needed into the risks and benefits of peer support in digital media, especially in relation to problematic digital media use and the spread of misinformation.”

References

1. Erbas ME, Ziehfreund S, Biedermann T, et al. Beyond the screen: exploring digital health experiences of individuals affected by psoriasis - a qualitative interview study. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):3041. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-24401-9

2. Hebebrand M. Social media and psoriasis: tackling misinformation on TikTok. Dermatology Times®. August 1, 2024. Accessed September 10, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/social-media-and-psoriasis-tackling-misinformation-on-tiktok