Awareness of psychodermatology in Indian dermatologists: A South Indian perspective

Abstract

This study was aimed to survey the awareness, knowledge, practicing patterns, and attitudes of dermatologists toward psychocutaneous disorders in a South Indian State. The questionnaire-based study was performed from August 1 to October 31, 2019. Study participants included 123 dermatologists. The questionnaire consisted of nine multiple-choice questions and two open-ended questions regarding knowledge, practicing patterns, and attitude to psychodermatology. Forty five (36.6%) dermatologists completed this online survey. Out of them 73% were women and 40% were trainees. Nine respondents (20%) had frequent experience with psychodermatology, but only 6 (13.3%) were very comfortable in diagnosing and treating psychodermatology patients. Vitiligo was the disease with maximum respondents reported encountering >10 patients monthly with psychologic co morbidities (30, 66.7%). The most common diagnoses which required psychiatric referral were delusion of parasitosis (22.2%), trichotillomania (20%) and neurodermatitis (8.9%). Thirty six respondents (80%) were unaware of any patient or family resources on psychodermatology. Thirty-nine respondents (86.7%) expressed interest in attending educational events on psychodermatology. Survey results showed high need of liaison clinics of dermatology and psychiatry. Many dermatologists lack proper training in treating psychodermatology cases while they may be the sole service provider to the patients. We propose incorporation of psychodermatology curriculum in residency training programs.

Psychodermatology knowledge and awareness: A cross‐sectional Egyptian perspective

“…In a Turkish study, 11 hyperhidrosis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo were described to be the commonest psychocutaneous disorder reported by dermatologists while two studies from Iran and United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported acne, alopecia, and vitiligo to be the most frequently seen psychocutaneous disordes 12,13 . A study from southern India reported vitiligo to be the most common psychocutaneous disorder 14 . This could possibly could be explained due to local cultural factors emphasizing on the color of skin.…”

“…Variable degrees of psychodermatology awareness and knowledge among dermatologists are reported worldwide. Two studies, from Turkey 11 and the Middle East, 12 reported 33% good understanding of what psychodermatology is while only 18%, 10%, 31%, and 0% of respondents in Washington State, 4 Albania, 15 southern India, 14 and Kazakhstan 5 , respectively, understood what the exact concept of PD is.…”

“…Only 10% of PD survey responders in Washington State reported awareness of available patient/physician PD resources 4 . Irrespective of the study sample, studies from the Middle East, Iran and Southern India and the Balkans reported that (90%), (98%), (63%), and (80%) of the surveyed dermatologists were not aware of any community or educational available PD resources 12‐15 …”

“…Southern India (42.2%), and in Balkans (79%). [13][14][15] Only 12% of dermatologists in our study attended more than one formal training of more than 6 h (4.8%) training and of more than 12 h (8%) training. It is worth noting that attending such training correlated significantly with age and years of experience (r = .26, P = .02).…”

“…Data were collected using a self-designed well-structured question- 4 Albania, 15 southern India, 14 and Kazakhstan 5 ,…”