Considerations for Dermatologic Patient Care during COVID-19

Main Article Content

Clay J Cockerell
Cockerell Dermatopathology, Dallas, TX, USA Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

Haley D Heibel
Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Ashleigh Workman
Department of Dermatology, Medical City Weatherford, Weatherford, TX, USA Department of Dermatology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA

Keywords

COVID-19, Coronavirus, dermatology, patient care

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous challenges in dermatology.  Here, we discuss our experience of diagnosing multiple metastatic cutaneous cancers during the COVID-19 era and consider how perceived and existing barriers for patients receiving dermatologic care in the pandemic may have led to the progression of cancer.  In Texas, the attorney general issued a statement that dermatologists could not perform “routine” procedures.  Unfortunately, many dermatologists delayed biopsies and surgeries for skin cancer due to misinterpreting the ambiguous nature of the term “routine.”  Dermatologists provide valuable expertise and crucial services to society at all times, including during life-threatening pandemics, and this should be emphasized to the public and governmental agencies.

References

1. Der Sarkissian SA, Kim L, Veness M, Yiasemides E, Sebaratnam DF. Recommendations on dermatologic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020.

2. Recalcati S. Cutaneous manifestations in COVID-19: A first perspective. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(5):e212-e213.

3. Pathoulas JT, Stoff BK, Lee KC, Farah RS. Ethical outpatient dermatology care during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(5):1272-1273.

4. Lee I, Kovarik C, Tejasvi T, Pizarro M, Lipoff JB. Telehealth: Helping your patients and practice survive and thrive during the COVID-19 crisis with rapid quality implementation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(5):1213-1214.

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Published
Jul 12, 2020
DOI https://doi.org/10.25251/skin.4.4.7

Article Details

How to Cite
Cockerell, C. J., Heibel, H. D., & Workman, A. (2020). Considerations for Dermatologic Patient Care during COVID-19. SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, 4(4), 335–336. https://doi.org/10.25251/skin.4.4.7
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 4 (2020)
Section
COVID Concepts
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