title: A study of the practice of dermatology in the United States. Initial findings.
abstract: A nationwide study of the practice activities of dermatologists reports that dermatology is a predominantly outpatient specialty, with 97% of patient encounter occurring outside of the hospital. The average dermatologist cares for approximately 7,000 patients a year and functions almost exclusively as a specialist, with only 2.2% of his cases related to nondermatologic problems. The dermatologist performs a type of primary care, however, with seven out of ten patients being self-referred. Eighty-seven percent of dermatologic encounters can be categorized into 25 disease conditions. This study serves to increase the understanding of how the dermatologist cares for his patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011364:Professional Practice; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce