Trends in dermatology practices and the implications for the workforce

Background: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) practice profile surveys have been conducted for more than a decade to gauge trends in our workforce supply and demand. Objective: To update the trends and current workforce issues for the field of dermatology. Methods: The AAD Practice Profile Survey is sent by both e‐mail and postal mail to a random sample of practicing dermatologists who are AAD members. Results: Shifts are noted in the primary practice setting; fewer dermatologists are in solo practice and more are in group practices than in previous years. Teledermatology use trended upward from 7% to 11% between 2012 and 2014. The implementation of electronic health records increased from 51% in 2011 to 70% in 2014. Limitations: There is potential for response bias and inaccurate self‐reporting. Survey responses collected may not be representative of all geographic areas. Conclusion: The demand for dermatology services remains strong. Shifts in the practice setting may be related to increases in overhead costs that are partially associated with the implementation of technology‐based medical records. Integration of electronic health records and utilization of telemedicine are increasing.

[1]  S. McMullin,et al.  Twelve-Month Drug Cost Savings Related to Use of an Electronic Prescribing System With Integrated Decision Support in Primary Care , 2005, Journal of managed care pharmacy : JMCP.

[2]  B. Kaffenberger,et al.  Trends and Scope of Dermatology Procedures Billed by Advanced Practice Professionals From 2012 Through 2015 , 2018, JAMA dermatology.

[3]  J. Sloan,et al.  Burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance among US physicians relative to the general US population. , 2012, Archives of internal medicine.

[4]  S. Rosenberg,et al.  Changes in Retail Prices of Prescription Dermatologic Drugs From 2009 to 2015. , 2016, JAMA dermatology.

[5]  Julia Adler-Milstein,et al.  A survey analysis suggests that electronic health records will yield revenue gains for some practices and losses for many. , 2013, Health affairs.

[6]  J. Solomon,et al.  An assessment of the cost-effectiveness, safety of referral and patient satisfaction of a general practice teledermatology service , 2015, London journal of primary care.

[7]  R. Brodell,et al.  The dermatology work force: a focus on urban versus rural wait times. , 2009, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[8]  H. Feng,et al.  Comparison of Dermatologist Density Between Urban and Rural Counties in the United States , 2018, JAMA dermatology.

[9]  J. Resneck.  Dermatology workforce policy then and now: reflections on Dr Peyton Weary's 1979 manuscript. , 2013, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[10]  E. Hess,et al.  Electronic medical records and physician stress in primary care: results from the MEMO Study. , 2014, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA.

[11]  J. Kvedar,et al.  Teledermatology: from historical perspective to emerging techniques of the modern era: part I: History, rationale, and current practice. , 2015, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[12]  P. Weary.  A surplus of dermatologists. Wherefrom and whereto. , 1984, Archives of dermatology.

[13]  Marie-Pierre Gagnon,et al.  Assessing the cost of electronic health records: a review of cost indicators. , 2010, Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association.