BH02 Online psychological support for patients with alopecia areata: an evaluation of available online psychological support material based on the National Centre for Complementary and Integrated Health guidelines

This study evaluated the quality of online psychological support materials for patients with alopecia areata using the National Centre for Complementary and Integrated Health guidelines. A Google search yielded 154,000 results, narrowed down to nine resources after excluding advertisements, scientific articles, educational resources, and duplicates. Of these, three were specific to alopecia areata, and six were authored or reviewed by dermatologists. Seven resources had a peer review process, and nine were charity-funded. Only five provided direct psychological support, while others merely acknowledged the psychological burden and redirected users elsewhere. The study highlights a significant gap in online psychological support for alopecia areata patients, emphasizing the need for improved resources as patients increasingly seek online help.