Dermatology Care in Spanish Public Hospitals: A Mapping Study of Health Care Resources and Medical and Surgical Activity in Dermatology Departments in 2019.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

No recent data on health care resources and medical and surgical activity in Spanish dermatology departments are available in the literature. The aim of this study was to compile this information for 2019.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study based on an online survey sent to the heads of dermatology departments at public hospitals in Spain.

RESULTS

Of the 162 department heads contacted, 59 answered the survey (participation rate, 36.4%). General findings included a shortage of staff, especially dermatologists, in hospitals of low and medium complexity. The main reason given for the shortage of dermatologists was a lack of interested applicants. Large hospital complexes had more infrastructure and equipment. Over 50% of the departments surveyed used a combination of in-person and virtual visits. Psoriasis units were the most common specialized care units. Approximately 75% of the hospitals had operating rooms with an anesthetist. More complex procedures such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and Mohs micrographic surgery were performed more often in large hospital complexes. Hospitalization and the presence of dermatology residents working call shifts were also more common in these hospitals. Teaching and research activity differed according to hospital complexity.

CONCLUSIONS

We have mapped health care resource availability and medical and surgical activity in Spanish dermatology departments prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings could be useful for improving clinical management and defining future actions and areas for improvement.