Nonphysician practice of dermatologic surgery: the Texas perspective.
BACKGROUND
Increases in complications resulting from the nonphysician practice of dermatologic procedures have been reported nationally. This investigation was initiated owing to growing concern regarding the nonphysician practice of medicine in Texas.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to survey dermatologists in Texas to determine the number of patients seeking corrective treatment owing to complications from dermatologic procedures performed by nonphysicians.


METHODS
A total of 488 dermatologists in Texas were surveyed and seven patients who experienced complications were interviewed by phone.


RESULTS
Nearly 53% of responding physicians noted increased complications resulting from nonphysician practice of medicine. Approximately 33% of responding physicians reported that complications were known to have occurred in the absence of an on-site supervising physician.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in the number of complications owing to nonphysician practice of medicine in Texas mirrors the increases that have been reported nationally. The serious complications reported underscore the need for improved awareness and regulatory changes by state boards of medicine.
Friedman
Paul M
PM
DermSurgery Associates, Houston, Texas, USA. pmfriedman@dermsurgery.org
Jih
Ming H
MH
Burns
A Jay
AJ
Geronemus
Roy G
RG
Kimyai-Asadi
Arash
A
Goldberg
Leonard H
LH
D002983:Clinical Competence; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce