Initiatives to increase the efficiency of dermatological patient care

The number of tasks required of dermatologists has increased in the last decade. This article discusses potential ways to enhance the efficiency ofdermatological patient care and prevent problems of capacity. A study conducted in the UK found that, for the top 10 skin disorders, the accessibility of general practitioners with special expertise in dermatology was better than that of the dermatology clinic. Waiting times were considerably shorter with the general practitioners, but care was more expensive. Outcomes were similar for these skin disorders in terms of disease-specific quality of life. The study made no comment on the actual diagnostic ability of the specialised general practitioners. Teledermatology can reduce the number of referrals to a dermatologist by half. However, a considerable percentage of teledermatological consultations result in a different diagnosis than that obtained during a standard 'in vivo' consultation. Teledermatology can be a useful option for the follow-up of patients with ulcus cruris. The efficiency of dermatological care can be increased by working in teams. Dermatological nurses can be trained and conduct their own consultations under the supervision of a dermatologist. Dermatological care can also be organised in regional cooperative groups with general practitioners. Within these groups, teledermatology and specialised dermatology training for general practitioners can be useful innovations.