The Future of Medical Dermatology

Increase in Procedures Performed at Dermatology Office Visits from 1995 to 2001

“…In most cases, what has occurred is only a few practitioners performing solely medical or surgical dermatology, whereas most dermatologists have combined these areas, selecting the new procedures they choose to integrate as they are developed. 9 We found that the majority of the procedures were those done by both medical and surgical dermatologists, including cryotherapy and biopsies. Year Procedure Figure 1.…”

“…When dermatologists first broadened the scope of their practices to include surgical procedures, some thought that this would create a dichotomy between medical and surgical practitioners. In most cases, what has occurred is only a few practitioners performing solely medical or surgical dermatology, whereas most dermatologists have combined these areas, selecting the new procedures they choose to integrate as they are developed 9 . We found that the majority of the procedures were those done by both medical and surgical dermatologists, including cryotherapy and biopsies.…”

“…Over the past 25 years, there has been a decrease in certain aspects of the dermatologist's practice, such as inpatient dermatology, sexually transmitted diseases, and certain rheumatologic diseases. During this same time span, significant increases have occurred in the realm of surgical and cosmetic dermatology, along with growth in the nonsurgical areas of pediatric dermatology and dermatopathology 9,10 . The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery completed its biennial survey in 2003 looking at the procedures and practice activities of its members.…”

“…During this same time span, significant increases have occurred in the realm of surgical and cosmetic dermatology, along with growth in the nonsurgical areas of pediatric dermatology and dermatopathology. 9,10 The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery completed its biennial survey in 2003 looking at the procedures and practice activities of its members. From this survey, it was found that members performed an estimated 4.1 million procedures in 2003, with the most common procedures performed being skin cancer treatment, laser and light procedures, including nonablative techniques, botulinum toxin injections, resurfacing procedures (including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and lasers), and vein treatments.…”

Dermatology referrals in an East Asian tertiary hospital: a need for inpatient medical dermatology

“…The field of dermatology has evolved in recent years to a predominantly outpatient ambulatory specialty, with increasing emphasis on cosmetic and surgical procedures. Consequently, inpatient medical dermatology has gradually assumed a less important role, especially in fields such as infectious diseases and rheumatology, where specialists have taken over the management of several diseases traditionally managed by dermatologists 20,21 . There has been ongoing debate on the future of medical dermatology, with differing views as to whether dermatologists 21 or internal medicine physicians 22 are the best placed to manage hospitalized patients with severe skin diseases.…”