title: Specialists are not qualified enough to recognize and define dermatologic diseases.
abstract: Dermatology is a specific branch of medicine which includes dermatologic manifestations of systemic underlying diseases as well as primary cutaneous diseases. In this study, specialists' abilities of defining and diagnosing dermatologic diseases were assessed. 381 hospitalized patients who were referred to the Dermatology Clinic were reviewed via electronic medical charts. 121 of the clinicians (31.2%) made a dermatologic definition when referring their patients to dermatology. 136 of the the clinicians (35.1%) made a pre-diagnosis for their patients' dermatologic condition of which 90 (66,2%) were correct and 46 (33,8%) were non-relevant. Internists wrote a definitive dermatologic examination note significantly more often than surgeons (P=0.03). However, there was not a significant difference between internists and surgeons when we compared the ratio of correct and complete dermatologic definitions of patient condition (P=0.503). There was also no difference between surgeons and internists in terms of making a pre-diagnosis, making a correct diagnosis, and making a wrong diagnosis (P>0.05 for each comparison). In conclusion, dermatologic consultations are crucial and necessary for the improvement of patient care and treatment. Specialists lack basic skills to recognize and define dermatologic conditions they are confronted with.
authors.affiliation: Sibel Doğan, MD, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology , Ülkü Mahallesi Talatpaşa Bulvarı No:5 , Altındağ , Ankara , Turkey; sibel.dogan@hacettepe.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dogan
authors.forename: Ferda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Artuz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013038:Specialization