1. A study of the practice of dermatology in the United States. Initial findings.
- Author
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Mendenhall RC, Ramsay DL, Girard RA, DeFlorio GP, Weary PE, and Lloyd JS
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Ambulatory Care, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Practice Management, Medical, Primary Health Care, Skin Diseases diagnosis, Skin Diseases therapy, Task Performance and Analysis, United States, Workforce, Dermatology, Professional Practice
- Abstract
A nationwide study of the practice activities of dermatologists reports that dermatology is a predominantly outpatient specialty, with 97% of patient encounter occurring outside of the hospital. The average dermatologist cares for approximately 7,000 patients a year and functions almost exclusively as a specialist, with only 2.2% of his cases related to nondermatologic problems. The dermatologist performs a type of primary care, however, with seven out of ten patients being self-referred. Eighty-seven percent of dermatologic encounters can be categorized into 25 disease conditions. This study serves to increase the understanding of how the dermatologist cares for his patients.
- Published
- 1978