``If I had known this before!'' - Prevention of Occupational Skin Diseases by Health Educational Training and Counseling

Abstract

Occupational skin diseases often show a chronic course. However, patients can significantly and positively influence the course of the disease by applying an appropriate skin protection behavior. This is addressed by health educational interventions, such as patient education and individual counseling. The aim of these interventions is to improve the individual knowledge and motivation in order to implement an appropriate skin protection behavior both at the work place and at home. Health educational interventions should be evidence based. Evidence for their effectiveness is compiling on the levels of primary, secondary as well as tertiary prevention.