RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Skin Diseases in Family Medicine: Prevalence and Health Care Use
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 349
OP 354
DO 10.1370/afm.861
VO 6
IS 4
A1 Elisabeth W. M. Verhoeven
A1 Floor W. Kraaimaat
A1 Chris van Weel
A1 Peter C. M. van de Kerkhof
A1 Piet Duller
A1 Pieter G. M. van der Valk
A1 Henk J. M. van den Hoogen
A1 J. Hans J. Bor
A1 Henk J. Schers
A1 Andrea W. M. Evers
YR 2008
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/6/4/349.abstract
AB PURPOSE Ongoing care for patients with skin diseases can be optimized by understanding the incidence and population prevalence of various skin diseases and the patient-related factors related to the use of primary, specialty, and alternative health care for these conditions. We examined the recent prevalence of skin diseases in a defined population of family medicine patients, self-reported disease-related quality of life, extent and duration of skin disease, and the use of health care by patients with skin diseases. METHODS We undertook a morbidity registry-based epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of various skin diseases, using a patient questionnaire to inquire about health care use, within a network of family practices in the Netherlands with a practice population of approximately 12,000 citizens. RESULTS Skin diseases accounted for 12.4% of all diseases seen by the participating family physicians. Of the 857 questionnaires sent to patients registered with a skin disease, 583 (68.0%) were returned, and 501 were suitable for analysis. In the previous year, 83.4% of the patients had contacted their family physician for their skin disease, 17.0% had contacted a medical specialist, and 5.2% had consulted an alternative health care practitioner. Overall, 65.1% contacted only their family physician. Patients who reported more severe disease and lower quality of life made more use of all forms of health care. CONCLUSION This practice population-based study found that skin diseases account for 12.4% of diseases seen by family physicians, and that some skin problems may be seen more frequently. Although patients with more extensive skin diseases also obtain care from dermatologists, most patients have their skin diseases treated mainly by their family physician. Overall, patients with more severe disease and a lower quality of life seek more treatment.