title: Limited availability of psoriasis and phototherapy care: an analysis of advertisements.
abstract: Because the number of dermatologists remains stable, patients with medical dermatologic conditions such as psoriasis may find it increasingly difficult to access dermatological treatment. Measuring the competition in the marketing of dermatologic care may provide insight into the availability of dermatology services. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent dermatologists are using the Yellow Pages to advertise to patients with psoriasis. We performed a quantitative and qualitative assessment of dermatologists' Yellow Pages advertisements in small cities and the ten largest metropolitan regions in the country. Per capita, more advertisements were found in smaller markets than larger markets and a higher percentage was descriptive rather than just a name, address and phone number. Cosmetic and surgical advertisements were more common than psoriasis ads in both markets. Cosmetic ads were more prevalent in larger markets. In all regions, psoriasis and psoriasis treatment ads were least common. These findings raise the concern that incentive structures in the United States healthcare system do not adequately support delivery of dermatologic care for psoriasis. Efforts to promote psoriasis care should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hancox
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balkrishnan
authors.forename: Jamila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.forename: Tam Salam
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Housman
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003880:Dermatology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce