Conceptual issues in dermatology and medicine: Where do nonphysician practitioners rightfully belong-a...

The invasion of the turf of medicine by nonphysician practitioners has not spared dermatology. The reasons behind this phenomenon are complex, as so many political issues are; some may be reasonable, others concerning. An undeniable consequence is that patients are being cared for by providers with significantly lower levels of medical education than that of medical doctors. The proper practice of dermatology, a visual specialty, is unquestionably dependent on experience complemented by scientific information; for this, years of postgraduate education are required. In this article, I expose, as I was invited to do with limitations, my opinions about the concept of having "midlevels," providing medical care to patients afflicted by skin disease.