Ninety-six points of light: phototherapy practices of members of The Photomedicine Society.
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy is an effective and relatively safe treatment for many skin diseases. Recent concern has focused on an apparent decline in phototherapy usage in the US.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the current state of phototherapy as practiced globally.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of members of the Photomedicine Society.


RESULTS
Data derived from responses of 96 members showed all to have been in practice for more than five years, providing phototherapy within two years of completing residency. Usage of narrow-band ultraviolet B, ultraviolet A-1 (UVA-1), bath-psoralens plus UVA, and photodynamic therapy was markedly greater among phototherapists in Europe compared to their counterparts in North America and Asia.


CONCLUSIONS
Worldwide, there are fewer younger dermatologists who incorporate phototherapy in their practices. European phototherapists have led the world in usage of the newer phototherapy modalities.
Evans
Colby C
CC
Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas South-Western Medical Center, 5323, Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390-9069, USA.
Cruz
Ponciano D
PD
D001208:Asia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003880:Dermatology; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States