Procedures in primary care dermatology.
BACKGROUND
General practitioners can provide a range of diagnostic and treatment procedures for patients with dermatological problems.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the use of Wood's light, diascopy, skin scrapings for microscopy, skin biopsy, cauterisation, doppler measurement of ankle-brachial pressure index, and multi-layer compression bandages for venous ulcers.


CONCLUSIONS
Adequate training and proper equipment is essential for commonly neglected areas including informed written consent, good communication with the histopathologist, a system for handling specimens and reports, action plans for laboratory results, and adequate training and protection for auxiliary staff.
Chuh
Antonio A T
AA
Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. achuh@iohk.com
Wong
William C W
WC
Wong
Samuel Y S
SY
Lee
Albert
A
D001458:Bandages; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods; D003475:Curettage / Q000379:methods; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods