Inpatient Dermatology Best Practice Strategies for Educating and Relaying Findings to Colleagues

Abstract

Purpose of Review This review examines the role of education and relaying findings to non-dermatologist colleagues when performing inpatient dermatology consults. We highlight best practices for communication and education. Recent Findings Non-dermatologists receive minimal training on the diagnosis and the management of skin conditions. Efforts to teach dermatology in the inpatient setting via traditional didactics have been met with limited success, and hospitalists have indicated a desire to learn from specialists. Incorporating education into standard consultation practices including the note, one-on-one communication, and bedside rounds can efficiently improve teaching and patient care. Summary Our key principles of consultation emphasize communication, use of pre-existing components of a consultation to teach, and close follow-up. Inpatient dermatologists can implement these simple but effective measures to encourage education and communication with primary teams for both in-person and telehealth consults.