Survey Shows Patients Interested in Integrative Dermatology

Medscape

a day ago

TOPLINE:
A survey reported that nearly two thirds of patients expressed interest in integrative dermatology, a model that blends evidence-based conventional care with root-cause approaches, including nutrition, herbal protocols, and mind-body therapies.
METHODOLOGY:
Researchers conducted a 21-question survey at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Dermatology clinic, Pittsburgh, to assess patient perspectives on integrative dermatology, and patients were provided with a brief review on integrative medicine.
The analysis included 205 completed surveys with a 90.71% response rate.
Participants comprised 67.32% women. Their average age was 45 years, 76.10% were White, 9.25% were Black, 7.80% were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1.95% were Hispanic individuals.
TAKEAWAY:
Nearly two thirds of patients (64.39%) expressed willingness to visit an integrative dermatologist, particularly for acne (60.49%), atopic dermatitis (56.01%), and skin cancer (48.78%).
Individuals who believed that stress (odds ratio [OR], 6.06; P = .01), social environment/interactions (OR, 2.33; P = .04), or chronic health conditions (OR, 2.28; P = .035) had a strong impact on skin health showed a higher likelihood of seeking care from an integrative dermatologist.
The likelihood of visiting an integrative dermatologist was higher among patients who believed that dermatologists should consider broader health aspects such as activity levels (OR, 3.63; P = .003), social support (OR, 3.33; P = .010), and spiritual health (OR, 4.56; P = .007).
Cost emerged as a potential barrier for 30.24% of patients considering integrative dermatological care.
IN PRACTICE:
'Overall, the findings of this survey highlight potential key drivers of patient preferences for integrative dermatology and reinforce its potential as a preferred approach for individuals seeking holistic skin health management,' the study authors wrote. 'Addressing financial concerns and increasing awareness of integrative therapies may further support its integration into dermatologic practice,' they added.
SOURCE:
The study was led by Alana Sadur, Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was published online on July 2 in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
LIMITATIONS:
The study was limited by single-site enrollment and a predominantly White respondent population, which could affect the generalizability of findings across diverse demographic groups.
DISCLOSURES:
The study did not receive any funding. One author disclosed serving as a speaker for Regeneron and Sanofi.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.