Awareness and Attitudes toward Dermatologist in Korea: A Questionnaire Based Survey Targeting Dermatologic Outpatients Who Attended a Tertiary Hospital / 대한피부과학회지
Korean Journal of Dermatology
;
: 261-267, 2016.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-162888
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nowadays in Korea, the diagnosis and treatment of the skin diseases by non-dermatologists are surprisingly frequent, and dermatologists often encounter patients who could not distinguish a non-dermatologist from a dermatologist. Thus, misdiagnoses and complications might increase as well.OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to evaluate the awareness and attitudes of patients, who seek treatment for their skin diseases, toward dermatologists and non-dermatologists in Korea.METHODS:
Between September and December 2014, a total 221 dermatologic outpatients, who visited Chonbuk National University Hospital, were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questions covered its accordance with their visiting intention, practical ability to differentiate a dermatologist from other specialists, criteria for choosing the clinic for skin conditions, consciousness about cutaneous treatment by dermatologists, and others.RESULTS:
The ratio of male to female was 11.7, and the mean age was 40.5 (±13.18) years. Even though 34.8% of patients answered that they could distinguish between a dermatologist and a non-dermatologist, only 19.0% of the total patients were able to recognize the signboard of dermatologists. The most common criteria for choosing a clinic was if a dermatologist is present to administer treatment. Most patients did not want to visit a non-dermatologist for both the treatment of skin disease and cosmetic treatment.CONCLUSION:
Many patients desiring dermatologic and cosmetic treatments wanted to see dermatologist; however, their ability to distinguish dermatologist from non-dermatologist was found to be very low. We suggest that the medical law in Korea needs to be improved such that the specialists are required to display a symbol issued by their own society on their signboards.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Outpatients
/
Skin
/
Skin Diseases
/
Specialization
/
Consciousness
/
Intention
/
Diagnosis
/
Diagnostic Errors
/
Tertiary Care Centers
/
Jurisprudence
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Korean Journal of Dermatology
Year:
2016
Type:
Article
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