Dermatologic disease in family medicine.

Background And Objectives: Because dermatologic complaints are encountered frequently in primary care, the education of family physicians about skin disorders is important. Data are needed to help define areas of dermatology that deserve the most time and emphasis. This study determined what types of skin problems and medications family physicians most commonly diagnose and prescribe.

Methods: Study researchers analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data from 2002 to 2005 for dermatologic diagnoses and most common prescriptions by family physicians. The data from 2002-2005 were compared to data from 1990-1994.

Results: Skin conditions accounted for 8% of all visits to family physicians in 2002-2005. The five most common skin disorders diagnosed by family physicians were dermatitis, pyoderma, tinea, benign neoplasms, and candida. The top 20 diagnoses accounted for 70% of the visits. The three most commonly prescribed medication classes for skin problems from 2002-2005 were antihistamines, topical anti-infectives, and adrenal corticosteroids. Between 1990-1994 and 2002-2005, family physicians increased the number of less common dermatologic diagnoses they make by 10% and have concurrently increased the prescribing of medications they use to treat these disorders.

Conclusions: Family physicians diagnose a wide range of skin disorders and prescribe drugs to treat them. Family physicians make more dermatologic diagnoses and prescribe more treatments than previously.