desriptive Hype or Vile? Perception, Awareness & Practice attitudes of General Practitioners about Pediatric dermatology -A national survey

observational study

Abstract

Background

Pediatric care differs from adults in clinical presentations, diagnostic and treatment challenges. Up to 30% of pediatric primary care visits include a skin- related problem and referrals are avoided due to long wait time.

Pediatric Dermatology is one of most underserved sub specialities in Pakistan. General practitioners and pediatricians encountering the children may face challenges by skin problems which is one of the most common clinical presentation. Do they refer to dermatology textbook, consult their colleague, do curb side consultation or straight away refer it and where do they refer because scope of dermatological conditions is so broad as to be beyond the skills of most of general practitioners or pediatricians.

Objective

To study whether there is early referral of pediatric dermatology cases that fall outside expertise of general practitioners and their perception about the need of pediatric dermatologist.

Methods

A survey 13- questions' anonymous survey was sent to active practicing primary care physicians, general practitioners and pediatricians in Punjab electronically through Google form. Questions were about the role of pediatric dermatologists, their need in tertiary care hospital, curb side consultation and to specify who can perform minor cutaneous surgical procedures among specialists. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Response rate was 38%. There were one 646 responses. 74% of respondents were in favor of pediatric Dermatologist to treat pediatric dermatosis than a dermatologist (33% responses) but curbside consultation was unfamiliar to 77%. 61% respondents preferred pediatric surgeon to do minor procedures as compared to pediatric dermatologist. 92% agreed that pediatric dermatologist is a growing need of every tertiary care hospital.

Conclusion

Our primary care physicians and general practitioners agree about the need of pediatric dermatology as an expanding sub specialty. Proper dermatological referral or curbside consultations should be encouraged to improve timely health care provision.

Key words: Pediatric dermatology, Primary care Physicians, Referral and consultation, practice patterns, Attitudes, Pakistan.