Download dermatology: a unique practice of medicine

DERMATOLOGY: A UNIQUE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE
A dermatologist is a licensed medical doctor and the only residency-trained physician fully educated in the science of cutaneous medicine, which includes
the medical and surgical conditions of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. At any given time, 1 in 3 Americans suffers from a skin disease.
Dermatology by the numbers:
12,000 dermatologists in the U.S. are members of the American Academy of Dermatology Association (Academy).
Over 70 percent of dermatologists are either solo practitioners or work in small group practices
consisting of 5 dermatologists or less.
94 percent of board-certified dermatologists are Academy members.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Following medical school, the education and training in dermatology consists of a one-year internship and a three-year residency, which includes training in
medical dermatology and skin surgery. Dermatology is also unique in that it devotes 25 percent of its residency curriculum to pathology training. After
residency, many dermatologists undertake fellowship training in one of several specialties, including procedural dermatology, Mohs surgery,
dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology, aesthetic dermatology and cutaneous oncology.
UNIQUE MODEL OF INTEGRATED CARE
Dermatologists diagnose and treat more than 3,000 diseases, including skin cancer, eczema, infections, psoriasis, immunologic diseases, and many genetic
disorders. In caring for patients of all ages, dermatologists’ unique training enables them to incorporate patient-centered efficiencies into their practices as
they provide a wide range of services, from diagnostic laboratory services to surgical treatment, all within their individual offices. Whether a patient
presents with one or multiple conditions, the ability to provide extensive in-office care means that a dermatologist is often able to provide multiple
medically necessary services during the same office visit. Patients appreciate dermatologists’ ability to provide this care within their offices—which not
only furthers the efficient delivery of care but also limits the need for additional appointments in the future.
QUALITY & RESEARCH
The Academy has been actively developing quality measures and administers a Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) registry with one of the higher
reporting success rates among physician specialties. In addition, the Academy has developed nine current clinical guidelines and is one of a small number
of medical specialties that have developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) to focus on patient-centered care.
WORKFORCE
Patient access to specialty physicians, including dermatologists, has been challenged by workforce shortages and geographic variations. Given the unique,
and often, visual manifestation of skin diseases and conditions, telemedicine allows dermatologists to share their expertise and to improve care
coordination for patients. Through the Academy’s AccessDerm program, volunteer dermatologists provide free telemedicine consultation to primary care
providers in clinics across the country that deliver care to underserved populations.
DERMATOLOGISTS FIGHTING SKIN CANCER
As skin cancer experts, dermatologists have conducted more than 2.2 million free skin screenings since 1985 across the country to detect skin cancer in its
earliest and most treatable stages. The Academy recently launched a large-scale public awareness initiative, SPOT Skin Cancer, to motivate individuals to
make positive behavior changes to prevent and detect skin cancer.