New health practitioners and dermatology manpower planning.

To assess the need for dermatologists in the United States, the potential role of new health practitioners in this specialty is considered. Available data on physician extenders in general and informed opinion on dermatologist extenders in particular suggest that specially trained, nonphysician personnel could substantially augment the supply of dermatological services. At present, however, widespread adoption of new staffing patterns appears unlikely. A long-run trend toward greater use of all categories of ancillary personnel in this specialty is expected, and the profession is urged to play an early and active role in this trend's development.