[Socio-demographic study of privately practicing dermatologists in metropolitan France in 2011]

There is currently an alarming decrease in the number of dermatologists in private practice because of the limited number of new graduates, who are unable to compensate for departures into retirement among the "baby boom" generation. Our aim was thus to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of private dermatologists in France in 2011 to forecast the impact over the next 20 years.

Analysis was performed of socio-demographic data (age, sex, place of practice, thesis year and mode of exercise) for all private dermatologists living in France in 2011 and identified in the Rosenwald Directory of Doctors. These data were combined with those of the National Council of the Order to determine the number of GPs and those of INSEE, giving the size and number of inhabitants of each department.

There are 3,197 privately practicing dermatologists in France, with a majority of women (65%). The average age is 52 years. Fifty-three per cent of dermatologists are aged over 55 years while 21% are aged between 50 and 54 years, 19% are aged between 40 and 49 and 5% are aged under 39 years. The density of dermatologists in France is 5.1/100,000 inhabitants. There are three types of density zone for dermatologists: high-density zones (over five dermatologists per 10(5) persons), comprising 24 departments (22% of the national territory) in which 61% of dermatologists are practicing; moderate-density zones (three to five dermatologists per 10(5) persons), comprising 41 departments (47% of the French territory in which 30% of dermatologists are practicing; low-density zones (less than three dermatologists per 10(5) persons), considered as "dermatological deserts", comprising 30 departments (31% the national territory) in which 10% of the country's dermatologists are practicing. The population projection shows a decrease in the number of dermatologists in private practice of 45% in 2020, 72% in 2025 and 84% in 2030.

Our study highlights the disparity in distribution of the density of liberal dermatologists in France. The departments in which the density of dermatologists is low are those where the number of general practitioners is small. In 2021, 54% of dermatologists currently in private practice will be aged over 65 and are therefore likely to end their professional practice. How can we anticipate the fall in the number of dermatologists in private practice over the coming two decades? This question must be addressed urgently.