South Florida survey on the relationship between academic medical centers and community physicians.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the relationship between academic medical centers (AMCs) and community physicians (CPs). We examined this relationship for an individual specialty-dermatology.


METHODS
South Florida dermatologists were queried regarding their practice and referral patterns, as well as the effect of managed care on these patterns.


RESULTS
On average, the respondents see 7,342 patients annually. Ninety-eight percent refer one or more patients for aid in therapy (39%) and diagnosis (27%). Most were satisfied with the amount (63%) and quality (77%) of the service provided. Overall, only 0.2% of patients are referred. Sixty percent reported that managed care caused alterations in referral patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that, although community dermatologists diagnose and treat the vast majority of patients with skin disease seen by dermatologists, they also use and are satisfied with the AMC's services. Changes in referral patterns have occurred but have not negatively affected the relationship between the AMC and the CP.
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL, USA.
L S
LS
Baumann
F A
FA
Kerdel
A
A
Agrawal
R S
RS
Kirsner
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005431:Florida; D018578:Hospital-Physician Relations; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires