Menna Medhat Mohamed Abdo Aboaly
NHS, United Kingdom
Abstract Title: Bridging the gap between primary care and dermatology: A quality improvement project on acne management in general practice
Biography:
Menna Medhat Aboaly, MD is a UK-based physician currently working as an FY2 doctor. She has a strong interest in dermatology and cosmetology, which led her to complete a Master’s degree in Aesthetic Medicine, Nutrition, and Anti-Aging with AMER. During her General Practice training, she focused on acne management in primary care, recognising acne as one of the most common dermatological conditions encountered in GP practice. Her clinical interests include medical and aesthetic dermatology, evidence based acne management, and integrating aesthetic medicine into holistic patient care.
Research Interest:
Aims: Acne vulgaris is commonly managed in primary care and can significantly affect patients’ psychological wellbeing. Poor adherence to national acne management guidance may lead to ineffective treatment, unnecessary follow-up, and prolonged antibiotic use, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This quality improvement project aimed to improve adherence to national guidance, reduce inappropriate long-term antibiotic prescribing, and improve timely treatment review in a primary care setting.
Methods: A two-cycle quality improvement project was undertaken using retrospective electronic patient record review. Baseline data were collected from 35 patients receiving active acne treatment and assessed against national guidance standards. Identified gaps included antibiotic monotherapy, prolonged antibiotic use beyond six months, poor documentation of acne severity, and delayed treatment review. Interventions included clinician guideline reminder posters, a local educational presentation, and the organization of a dedicated review clinic. A second cycle reviewed 21 patients post-intervention using the same outcome measures.
Relevance/impact: This project demonstrates how simple, low-cost interventions can improve acne management, reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure, and support antimicrobial stewardship. The approach is transferable across general practice and may reduce avoidable workload while improving patient care.
Outcomes: Baseline data showed that 42.8% of patients were prescribed antibiotic monotherapy and only 25.7% received a documented 12-week review. Following intervention, antibiotic monotherapy reduced to 0%, acne severity documentation improved to 80%, and 50% of patients received a timely review. Approximately 30% were appropriately referred for specialist assessment. These findings demonstrate meaningful improvement in guideline adherence and prescribing safety.