Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease , significantly reducing the quality of life of patients. Very important element of effective psoriasis therapy is to understand the patient’s needs and expectations regarding medical care and treatment. The aim of the study was to get to know the patients’ needs during medical appointments and their expectations regarding psoriasis drug, as well as to obtain information what factors could change the currently used topical medications.

Material and methods: The survey was conducted by 53 dermatologists in the period from July to September 2021. The study was realized by using the face-to-face interview method: each of the doctors interviewed three patients suffering from psoriasis using a questionnaire with single- and multiple-choice questions. 159 questionnaires were included in the study. The questions concerned: the localization of psoriasis lesions, the body surface affected by psoriasis, the needs and expectations regarding the psoriasis drug and the psoriasis-related dermatological visits, the acceptable monthly cost of therapy, openness to new, previously unused medications, factors that may lead to a change of currently used medications and experiences with the combination product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate in the form of a foam.

Results: On the basis of the collected data, it was found that in the context of medical visits, patients mainly expect information on how to use the recommended drugs and knowledge about new available preparations. The key features of the drug for psoriasis for patients are that it provides longer time without changes on the skin and fast action (rapid disappearance of psoriasis lesions). The factors that would make patients to change their current treatment coincide with their expectations for a psoriasis drug — the new drug should give rapid results, provide longer periods with no changes on the skin and reduce the number of relapses. 85% of respondents declare openness to new drugs. For 29% of the surveyed patients, the acceptable monthly cost of therapy exceeds PLN 100, and for 34% — 150 PLN. The combination product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate in the form of a foam is or has been used by 3 of the interviewed patients with psoriasis, 82% of whom believe that it has better therapeutic effects than other preparations.

Conclusions: The results of the survey show that the socioeconomic situation and patients' preferences regarding the forms of therapy used in their medical history should be taken into account. According to patients’ opinion, factors significantly influencing the choice of the drug, are the rapid clinical response and the possibility of prolonged remission. In the study group, over 60% of patients declare their readiness to pay more than 100 PLN per month for topical treatment of psoriasis. Proper physician-patient communication can help personalize local therapy, which should lead to improved adherence and clinical efficacy.