Skin conditions are very common, with around one in four patients consulting their GP with skin problems each year.
Developed for use by busy clinicians, the toolkit is an easy-to-navigate 'one stop shop' of evidence-based tools and resources to help the whole primary care team in their care of patients. It includes;
- clinical and learning resources for general dermatology, as well as specific skills training in dermoscopy
- information to be shared with patients and carers
- information for commissioners
- quality improvement tools.
The toolkit was developed by the RCGP's Dermatology Spotlight project team, led by Dr Emma Le Roux, a Cheltenham-based GP and National Institute for Health Research In Practice Fellow at the University of Bristol's Centre for Academic Primary Care. Dr Le Roux was appointed the RCGP's Clinical Champion for Dermatology in 2018.
The team worked closely with a wide stakeholder group, including clinical experts, patient representatives, committee members of the Primary Care Dermatology Society and commissioners to ensure that all resources produced were evidence-based and suitable for the care of patients with skin problems.
Dr Le Roux said: "Many skin conditions are long-term, with significant morbidity and requiring high levels of self-care. Skin cancer incidence and dermatology referrals are rising, with high demands on secondary care services and increasingly long delays for dermatology specialist reviews. This is why supporting those working in primary care to identify and manage skin problems effectively in general practice is so important."
Two podcasts with a primary care dermatology nurse on 'Dermoscopy in primary care' and 'Eczema: common myths and managing its impact' have also been made publicly available as part of the project.