Systematic Review July 26, 2022

Global Awareness, Knowledge, and Practice Patterns of Psychocutaneous Medicine: A Primary Care Perspective

;

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2022;24(4):21r03175

ABSTRACT

Objective: To report findings generated from an analysis of available literature on psychodermatology knowledge, awareness, and practice patterns among dermatologists worldwide to better elucidate their educational needs and referral practices.

Data Sources: To identify literature from inception to December 23, 2020, the following search strategy was used within PubMed and Google Scholar databases: psychodermatology OR psychocutaneous disorders OR psychodermatology practice patterns OR psychodermatology awareness OR psychodermatology attitudes OR psychodermatology knowledge. Non-English studies were excluded. Studies were included if they were identified as having collected data from a survey instrument assessing psychodermatology awareness, knowledge, and practice patterns of dermatologists and dermatology trainees.

Study Selection and Data Extraction: Of 1,347 records screened, a total of 12 cross-sectional studies were identified as having collected data from 2,466 dermatologists in 18 countries worldwide. Individual study and overall response frequencies were extracted for each variable of interest by an independent reviewer.

Results: Although most respondents provided weekly psychodermatologic care, only 13% reported feeling very comfortable treating patients with psychocutaneous concerns. Only 19% of respondents had a clear understanding of psychodermatology, and almost two-thirds of participants had no formal training in psychodermatology. Seventy-three percent of dermatologists reported interest in continuing medical education.

Conclusions: A considerable number of patients present to their physician with a psychocutaneous concern. As such, dermatologists, psychiatrists, and primary care providers may benefit from an understanding of the presentations and management of the most common psychodermatology complaints. Incorporation of psychodermatology curriculums into training programs and educational activities should be considered.

  1. Picardi A, Abeni D, Melchi CF, et al. Psychiatric morbidity in dermatological outpatients: an issue to be recognized. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143(5):983–991. PubMed CrossRef
  2. Wessely SC, Lewis GH. The classification of psychiatric morbidity in attenders at a dermatology clinic. Br J Psychiatry. 1989;155(5):686–691. PubMed CrossRef
  3. Attah Johnson FY, Mostaghimi H. Comorbidity between dermatologic diseases and psychiatric disorders in Papua New Guinea. Int J Dermatol. 1995;34(4):244–248. PubMed CrossRef
  4. Aktan S, Özmen E, Şanli B. Psychiatric disorders in patients attending a dermatology outpatient clinic. Dermatology. 1998;197(3):230–234. PubMed CrossRef
  5. Hughes JE, Barraclough BM, Hamblin LG, et al. Psychiatric symptoms in dermatology patients. Br J Psychiatry. 1983;143(1):51–54. PubMed CrossRef
  6. Jafferany M, Vander Stoep A, Dumitrescu A, et al. The knowledge, awareness, and practice patterns of dermatologists toward psychocutaneous disorders: results of a survey study. Int J Dermatol. 2010;49(7):784–789. PubMed CrossRef
  7. Jafferany M, Jorgaqi E. Psychodermatology in Balkans: knowledge, awareness, and practice patterns of dermatologists in Albania. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;33(3):e13286. PubMed CrossRef
  8. Markabayeva A, Ospanova S, Jafferany M. Psychodermatology: knowledge, awareness, and attitude of dermatologists in Kazakhstan. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(4):e105–e109. PubMed CrossRef
  9. Iftikhar U, Jafferany M, Khawaja AR. Awareness and knowledge toward psychodermatology in South Asia: a Pakistani perspective. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(6):e219–e221. PubMed CrossRef
  10. Jafferany M, Havryliuk O, Adaskevich U, et al. Psychodermatology in Ukraine and Belarus: an Eastern European perspective. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(5):e151–e153. PubMed CrossRef
  11. Ocek T, Kani AS, Baş A, et al. Psychodermatology: knowledge, awareness, practicing patterns, and attitudes of dermatologists in Turkey. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;17(2). PubMed CrossRef
  12. Osman OT, Souid AK, Al-Mugaddam F, et al. Attentiveness of dermatologists in the Middle East to psychocutaneous medicine. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2017;19(2). PubMed CrossRef
  13. Hafi B, Abdul Latheef EN, Uvais NA, et al. Awareness of psychodermatology in Indian dermatologists: a South Indian perspective. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;33(6):e14024. PubMed CrossRef
  14. Elsaie ML, Hanafy NS, Zaky MS, et al. Psychodermatology knowledge and awareness: a cross-sectional Egyptian perspective. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;33(6):e14239. PubMed CrossRef
  15. Handjani F, Saki N, Emad N, et al. Psychodermatology in Iran: a survey on knowledge, awareness, and practice patterns in Iranian dermatologists. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;33(6):e14009. PubMed CrossRef
  16. Zhou T, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, et al. Psychodermatology knowledge and awareness in Chinese dermatologists: results of a survey study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;34(1):e14668. CrossRef
  17. Turk T, Fujiwara E, Abba-Aji A, et al. Psychodermatology in Canada: a national survey assessment of dermatologists’ perception, practice patterns, and challenges. J Cutan Med Surg. 2020;25(3):249–256. PubMed
  18. Ryan MP, Wagner RF. Psychodermatology fellowship: is it time? Dermatol Online J. 2021;27(2):13030/qt7j15s8kh. PubMed
  19. Patel A, Jafferany M. Multidisciplinary and holistic models of care for patients with dermatologic disease and psychosocial comorbidity: a systematic review. JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(6):686–694. PubMed CrossRef