Dermatology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the hair, nails, and skin. Dermatologists treat patients of all ages, from infants and children to adolescents and adults. Dermatology involves, but is not limited to:

  • the study, research, and diagnosis of cancers, cosmetic and ageing conditions, diseases, and disorders of the hair, nails, and skin, and the genital and oral mucous membranes
  • the investigation and management of these conditions through the application of expert knowledge and skills in clinical diagnosis, dermatopathology, immunotherapy, laser therapy, performing cosmetic and dermatologic surgery, photodynamic therapy, phototherapy, the prescribing of topical and systemic medications, and the use of energy-based devices.

Dermatologists provide holistic, patient-centred care, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and provide expert consultation and advice to primary care practitioners and medical and surgical colleagues. They work flexibly across inpatient, outpatient, and virtual platform settings. The specific nature of care provided by dermatologists includes, but is not limited to:

Specialist clinical and diagnostic skills. Dermatologists have an expert understanding of the structure and function of the skin in health and disease, and require detailed knowledge of the aetiology and pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, epidemiology, histopathology, investigations, and prognosis of skin conditions. Dermatologists are also astute observers and physicians. They require good clinical history taking and examination skills to achieve accurate diagnoses.

Management of skin disorders across the lifespan. Dermatologists must understand benign and malignant tumours of the skin and their management, and have expertise in the use of dermoscopy and in the diagnosis and management of skin conditions. Dermatologists must also have broad experience of medical specialities, as skin diseases are often complicated by or associated with systemic comorbidities and medication use.

Use of procedural and surgical skills. For dermatologists, the accurate diagnosis of skin diseases / lesions requires thorough clinical examinations and, in selected cases, the use of biopsies to obtain histopathology. These elements form essential initial steps leading to the appropriate selection of therapeutic procedures, and are therefore a prerequisite to proper management in procedural dermatology.

Dermatologists provide person-centred care with a focus on communication, respect, and advocacy, including:

Raising awareness of skin cancer risks.

Helping treat and manage conditions including inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, oncological, and genetic skin disorders, such as acne, alopecia, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and vitiligo.

An understanding of the impact of chronic skin disorders on cultural, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Some of the key professional skills and qualities dermatologists embody include:

  • The ability to work sensitively with a variety of patients

    Dermatologists appreciate the differences in the presentation of skin conditions in patients of different ethnic origins and all age groups, and develop an ability to care for children suffering with dermatological conditions, and their families, in a professional and empathetic manner.

  • Strong communication skills

    Dermatologists must develop a personable interviewing technique and an ability to relate to patients from all walks of life. It is also essential that they appreciate when referral to a more appropriate or more qualified practitioner in a particular subspecialty is necessary.

  • Managing resources for the benefit of patients and communities

    Dermatologists apply a biopsychosocial approach to ensure the delivery of cost-effective, efficient, and safe care for the benefit of their patients and communities.

  • Application of a scholarly approach

    Dermatologists conduct academic research, following standard research principles (such as ethics, conflicts of interest, and methods), to discover better ways of understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. They apply research to improve the treatment and management of patients.

Last modified: Thursday, 27 November 2025, 12:19 PM