Dermatology in general practice.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• General Practice
• Public Health

Background:

• Dermatological conditions represent a substantial portion of general practitioner (GP) workload.
• Understanding the spectrum of skin diseases managed in primary care is crucial for resource allocation and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the types and frequency of dermatological diagnoses encountered in a semirural general practice over a five-year period.
• To assess the role of GPs in managing skin conditions, including surgical interventions and referrals.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of patient records from a single semirural general practice.
• Data collected over a 5-year period, encompassing all patient consultations and diagnoses.
• Categorization of dermatological diagnoses and documentation of surgical procedures and referrals.

Main Results:

• Out of 11,191 total patients, 2386 (21%) received a dermatological diagnosis.
• Females constituted the majority of patients (67%).
• The most frequent diagnoses were viral warts, eczema, and benign tumors. Skin cancer incidence was 3%.

Conclusions:

• General practices manage a significant volume of dermatological cases, necessitating robust diagnostic and treatment skills.
• The GP's ability to perform surgical interventions, particularly for skin tumors, is influenced by specialized training.
• A notable proportion of skin cancers were managed within the practice, while others required referral to specialized dermatology services.