The patient with skin disease: an approach for nondermatologists.

Dermatologists and other healthcare professionals frequently encounter patients with skin disease in their daily practice. Developing an approach to these patients that will lead to accurate and timely diagnosis is important for all healthcare providers. Increased awareness of the potential benefits and pitfalls of a dermatologic history, knowledge of the fundamentals of a dermatologic examination, the ability to provide a potential differential diagnosis, and improved communication with dermatologists will improve care of patients with skin disease.