Department of Dermatology, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Australia.
Australas J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;52(3):202-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00792.x. Epub 2011 Jul 20.
Little is known about the population using Australian dermatology outpatient services, in particular, Indigenous patients. This information is important to direct the strategic planning of dermatology services.
This study is a multicentre, retrospective audit of all patients attending public, outpatient dermatology clinics over 7 months across four Perth tertiary hospitals. The patient population (4873 patients) was profiled by age, gender, Indigenous status and rural/urban status. Medical records of the Indigenous patient population (104 patients) were reviewed to reveal the most common skin conditions.
The population using public, outpatient services had a median age of 48 years, 51.4% were male and 13.6% were from rural areas. Male patient median age was 50 years compared to 45 years for female patients (P = 0.002). Indigenous patients had a median age of 22 years, a female to male ratio of 3:2 and 26.9% were from rural areas. Over 50% of Indigenous patient appointments were missed. Skin infections, eczematous conditions and naevi were the most common skin conditions in Indigenous patients.
This data can guide strategies towards improving the provision of dermatology services for the Australian population. Particular attention is required towards improving Indigenous Australians' capacity to access dermatology services.
关于使用澳大利亚皮肤科门诊服务的人群，特别是原住民患者，知之甚少。这些信息对于指导皮肤科服务的战略规划非常重要。
本研究是对四家珀斯三级医院 7 个月内所有在公共皮肤科门诊就诊的患者（共 4873 例患者）进行的多中心、回顾性审计。患者人群（4873 例患者）按年龄、性别、原住民身份和城乡状况进行了分类。对原住民患者人群（104 例）的病历进行了回顾，以揭示最常见的皮肤状况。
使用公共门诊服务的人群的中位年龄为 48 岁，51.4%为男性，13.6%来自农村地区。男性患者的中位年龄为 50 岁，而女性患者的中位年龄为 45 岁（P = 0.002）。原住民患者的中位年龄为 22 岁，男女比例为 3:2，26.9%来自农村地区。超过 50%的原住民患者预约被错过。皮肤感染、湿疹性疾病和痣是原住民患者最常见的皮肤状况。
这些数据可以指导改善澳大利亚人群皮肤科服务提供的策略。特别需要注意提高原住民澳大利亚人获得皮肤科服务的能力。
