The Impact of Skin Health Problems in Australia
AU$3 BILLION
COST OF CHRONIC WOUNDS
Approximately 450,000 people have a chronic wound
PREVALENCE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS
PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF SKIN PROBLEMS
Recent literature reports that skin problems are very common and has significant impacts on QoL.
4%
OF AUSTRALIANS
CHRONIC SKIN CONDITIONS
Approximately 960,000 people live with a chronic skin condition
2/3 AUSTRALIANS
BEFORE AGE 70
SKIN CANCER INCIDENCE
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia.
INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Dermal Clinicians are collaborative allied health professionals. The skin is the body's largest organ. Its function and appearance is linked to all other systems within the body.
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Dermal Clinicians are independent allied health professionals that have expertise in managing skin health and common skin problems related to healing and repair or dysfunction and disease of the skin.
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Dermal Clinicians can play a role in early detection of not only skin conditions and disorders but also underlying medical conditions. In these situations they will refer to and work with medical and other allied health professionals for appropriate diagnosis and management in order to achieve optimal outcomes for their clients (patients).
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Dermal Clinicians can be integrated into chronic disease and medical management plans to assist with skin changes and problems that can occur with medical interventions as well as medications.
Refer to a Dermal Clinician
If you have need to refer to a Dermal Clinician download the referral form below. You can use the FIND A DERMAL CLINICIAN LOCATOR to find a Dermal Clinician near you.
Why Incorporate Dermal Clinicians In Your Health Practice?
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Dermal Clinicians Are Collaborative Allied Health Professionals
Interprofessional management of skin diseases and disorders, including wound management and healing are central to the practice of Dermal Clinicians. They have the knowledge and training to facilitate multifaceted patient care by liaising with medical and other health and allied health professionals for better patient outcomes.
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Dermal Clinicians Are Evidence-Based And Adhere To Best Practices.
During their education, Dermal Clinicians are trained to develop patient care plans and treatment protocols based on current evidence and best practice. This provides your clients/patients with the best and safest care currently available. They are trained in research design and protocols and have performed independent and group research during their studies so that they can implement this in their clinical practice. Dermal Clinicians may also develop clinical studies and publish their findings at conferences or industry publications.
Dermal Clinicians Can Educate.
In their university training many Dermal Clinicians are required to develop and facilitate education programs that can be offered to patient groups, peers in the workplace (within their scope), and also written materials for patient education around skin problems and management.
Dermal Clinicians Are trained In OHS and Risk Mitigation
Dermal Clinicians are trained in developing risk assessments, and standard operating procedures and are familiar with clinical governance procedures such as audits. This documentation may provide your business with safer overall operations, reducing the risk of adverse events and also ensuring timely and appropriate management when or if they do occur. Dermal Clinicians are trained to ensure treatments are performed for maximum efficacy and the lowest risk to the patient and the workplace.
References
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Dalgard FJ, Bewley A, Evers AW, et al. Stigmatisation and body image impairment in dermatological patients: protocol for an observational multicentre study in 16 European countries. BMJ Open 2018;8:e024877. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2018-024877Dreno B, Amici JM, Demessant-Flavigny AL, Wright C, Taieb C, Desai SR, Alexis A. The Impact of Acne, Atopic Dermatitis, Skin Toxicities and Scars on Quality of Life and the Importance of a Holistic Treatment Approach. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:623-632
https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S315846
Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce (2020). Report from the wound management working group.https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/12/report-from-the-wound-management-working-group_1.pdf
Penzer-Hick,R., & Haddad,M.Assessing and managing mental health issues in people with chronic skin conditions.Nursing Standard, doi:10.7748/ns.2021.e11744.
The Australian College of Dermatologists (2019). Skin Diseases in Australia - Navigating the healthcare system. https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/More-Than-Skin-Deep-Skin-diseases-in-Australia-navigating-the-healthcare-system.pdf
Tizek, L., Schielein, M., Seifert, F., Biedermann, T., Böhner, A. and Zink, A. (2019), Skin diseases are more common than we think: screening results of an unreferred population at the Munich Oktoberfest. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 33: 1421-1428. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15494
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