This information is intended to assist a person with eczema with the important decision of selecting an appropriate provider. Please consult other pamphlets in this series for specific advice regarding management of your condition.

Introduction
A critical element in the management of eczema/atopic dermatitis is the active participation of a care provider. Even if your eczema is currently in remission and causing few problems, it's important to have a provider whom you trust and with whom you can genuinely communicate.

What kind of provider can best meet your care needs?
Unlike a condition that is curable, eczema may linger throughout your lifetime. Consequently, it's particularly important to locate a provider with whom you are comfortable forming a long-term relationship. Important criteria that signal a provider whom is right for you include:

A. Empathy. Providers who dismiss eczema as being a 'minor problem', or 'just a skin rash,' may give your condition minimal attention when you go to them for help. Find someone who takes your condition seriously.

B. Credentials. A relatively uncomplicated case of eczema can often be managed by a family practitioner, either a physician or a nurse, if they have some combination of training, practical experience and real interest in treating your condition. For persistent or more complicated cases, such as when eczema is combined with allergies or other, co-existing conditions like diabetes or lupus, find a specialist such as a dermatologist or allergist. Look for physicians who are 'board certified' in one or more medical disciplines. Persons with such credentials have received specialized training beyond the normal requirements for practice following medical school and have passed rigorous professional examinations in a medical speciality. If you are not sure whether a provider is board-certified, ask them. You deserve a full disclosure of any provider's professional credentials.

C. Solid record. Consider checking with your state's Board of Medical Examiners to learn if there are any outstanding complaints filed against the provider. In most states, you can get this information with a written request following a phone call. Some even provide the information electronically, via e-mail. Providers with a history of patient complaints should be given an opportunity to explain this record before you agree to let them treat you or others in your family. (Of course, a record of "no complaints" is not a guarantee of good treatment, but it's a useful benchmark.)

D. Proximity. There's no substitute for having medical help nearby for any condition, but especially in the case of eczema. There's nothing worse than having to travel long distances to see your provider when you're in the midst of a flare-up. If you have to move out of your favorite provider's area, ask him or her for a recommendation to a respected colleague who practices near your new home.

E. Experience. We recommend that you ask a provider candidate directly about their experience in treating patients with eczema/atopic dermatitis. We also encourage you to narrow your focus to those candidates who come recommended by others with this condition. NEASE has a system to help with this-see below.

The Quest
Finding a good provider can sometimes be like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. However, with perseverance and a little luck, people in most areas of the U.S. will succeed in finding a provider that meets the family's most important criteria. Here are some resources that can help you in your quest:

• The Internet: most medical specialties are represented by a professional organization that operates its own web page. In many cases, these web pages provide assistance in locating that type of specialist in your area. For example, the American Academy of Dermatology's web site can be reached at http://www.aad.org. The site includes a section called, "Find a Dermatologist," that lets you key in your state and zip code and gives you a list of all members of the Academy in your area. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's site at http://www.aaaai.org, has a similar locator feature to help you find an allergist, and also provides a lot of information about the background of each of its members listed in the directory, including their hospital affiliations, places of training and certifications, along with whether they are in a single or group practice. The American Academy of Pediatrics site, at this writing, has fewer features. Reachable at http://www.aap.org, it provides no online referral assistance, but does offer to assist anyone in finding a pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist if the Academy is contacted by mail.