Increase in procedures performed at dermatology office visits from 1995 to 2001

BACKGROUND. Over the past few decades, dermatologists have expanded the scope of their practice to include many surgical and cosmetic procedures in response to the development and demand for new procedures. OBJECTIVE. To examine the trend from 1995 in the proportion of dermatology visits associated with procedures to determine if there has been an increase in the number of procedures performed. METHODS. Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used to look at the proportion and types of dermatology visits associated with procedures performed during the years 1995 to 2001. RESULTS. There has been a progressive increase in the number of dermatology visits with procedures, occurring in 29.8% of visits in 1995 and 40.0% of visits in 2001. The top procedures performed are that of excision and destruction, including cryotherapy, electrodesiccation and curettage, and biopsies. CONCLUSION. The number of dermatology visits associated with procedures has increased since 1995. With the numerous new procedures and techniques that have emerged and continue to develop in our field, we expect that dermatologists will continue to be providers of medical, as well as surgical, care for the skin.