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“Psychodermatology” knowledge, attitudes, and practice among health care professionals

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Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are prevalent in dermatology patients. Psychodermatology is the body of knowledge at the intersection of psychiatry and dermatology practice. The purpose of this literature review was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care professionals regarding psychodermatology. A search of relevant articles was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and PsychInfo databases using a comprehensive set of search terms. Studies were included if (1) study participants were health care professionals, (2) studies contained data that could be extracted, and (3) studies were published in peer-reviewed journals. A review of study findings was conducted. A total of nine studies were included in the review. Studies were conducted in several countries. Findings from the review confirmed that providers frequently reported psychocutaneous disorders in their practice. There were, however, gaps and variations in providers’ knowledge base and level of comfort treating these patients. Further, providers acknowledged a lack of training in the practice of psychodermatology. The findings from this review suggest that health care professionals from multiple areas of the world may lack a full understanding, level of comfort, and proper training in psychodermatology. Improving the knowledge base and increasing level of comfort in treating psychodermatological disorders can improve the practice of psychodermatology amongst providers. Further, addressing knowledge and comfort level among providers through training and continuing education may improve outcomes for patients with psychocutaneous disorders.

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Acknowledgements

Results of this study will be presented at the Dermatology Nurses' Association annual meeting in March 2020.

Funding

No funding was received for the preparation of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    James E. Roberts

  2. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Abigail M. Smith

  3. Department of Human Environmental Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Amanda H. Wilkerson

  4. Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Anjali Chandra

  5. DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA

    Vraj Patel & Syed Siraj A. Quadri

  6. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine/John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Joshua R. Mann & Vinayak K. Nahar

  7. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street–L216, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Robert T. Brodell & Vinayak K. Nahar

Authors
  1. James E. Roberts
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  2. Abigail M. Smith
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  3. Amanda H. Wilkerson
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  4. Anjali Chandra
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  6. Syed Siraj A. Quadri
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  7. Joshua R. Mann
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  8. Robert T. Brodell
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  9. Vinayak K. Nahar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vinayak K. Nahar.

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Conflict of interest

Robert Brodell, MD, FAAD, has the following conflicts of interest: Multicenter Clinical Trials: Novartis—Principal Investigator; Corrona Psoriasis Biologic Registry. Editorial Boards: Faculty Advisor, American Medical Student Research Journal; Editor-in-Chief, Practice Update Dermatology; Associate Editor, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Practical Dermatology; Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Society; SKIN: The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine; Archives of Dermatological Research. Advisory Boards: Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. (Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent Litigation); Chairperson of REGN3500 AD independent monitoring committee (iDMC) (Sanofi Genzyme/Regeneron); SunPharma; Cassiopea. There are no conflicts of interest related to employment, stock ownership, expert testimony, grants, patents filed, received, pending, or in preparation, or royalties. James E. Roberts, MD, Abigail M. Smith, BS, Amanda H. Wilkerson, PhD, Anjali Chandra, BS, Vraj Patel, MS, Syed Siraj A. Quadri, PhD, Joshua R. Mann, MD, MPH, Robert T. Brodell, MD, FAAD, and Vinayak K. Nahar, MD, PhD, have no conflicts of interest.

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Roberts, J.E., Smith, A.M., Wilkerson, A.H. et al. “Psychodermatology” knowledge, attitudes, and practice among health care professionals. Arch Dermatol Res 312, 545–558 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-020-02050-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-020-02050-9

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