Dermatologists are essential for quality of care in the general practice of medicine

Dermatology is an increasingly growing specialty with several subspecialties that frequently overlap with other disciplines. Dedication to specific areas varies widely between countries, even within the European Union. The lack of uniform criteria that regulate the practice of dermatology and its subspecialties has a negative impact on the distribution of resources. Consequently, this may impair adequate patient care as access to dermatologists, who are the best trained physicians to recognize and treat skin disorders, may be delayed or unavailable. Not uncommonly, especially in the hospital setting, many specialists are consulted for a skin condition before a referral is made to a dermatologist. In this article, through a case series from daily practice, we illustrate the need for dermatologists to be recognized as the most suitable specialists to diagnose and treat skin diseases. A prompt referral is probably more cost-effective than any other measure, reducing patient morbidity and, in some instances, it can also be life-saving. Another issue that merits consideration is the reimbursement of selected, non-medicated pharmaceuticals, that are medically indicated for some patients with serious dermatological disorders.