title: Phototherapy in dermatology: A call for action.
abstract: Of the wide range of treatment modalities available to dermatologists, few possess the history, efficacy, and safety of phototherapy. It should be emphasized that dermatologists are the only group of physicians optimally trained and qualified to understand the medical indications of phototherapy. Phototherapy, recognized for its cost-effectiveness, should remain a consideration in patient treatment. Continued training and education in residency and thereafter is needed to maintain the proficiency of physicians. In addition, payors need continued education to ensure that insurance coverage of phototherapy is not a barrier for patients to access this therapy. To further improve and optimize the outcome, phototherapy research needs to be supported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Electronic address: hlim1@hfhs.org.
authors.forename: Henry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan; Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Narumol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silpa-archa
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Ugochukwu
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Amadi
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menter
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Abby S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Van Voorhees
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lebwohl
mesh_terms: D001685:Biological Factors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors
keywords: biologics; cost-effectiveness; cutaneous diseases; narrowband ultraviolet B; phototherapy; psoralen plus ultraviolet A; psoriasis; ultraviolet A1