Delegation and oversight of non-physician practitioners in dermatology

Abstract

A rising demand for dermatologic procedures has led to a recent increase in the number of non-physician operators (NPOs) in the dermatology workforce. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and aestheticians commonly perform procedures in both physician-based practices and medical spas with varying degrees of dermatology-specific training and physician oversight. Although the lack of regulations can negatively impact patient outcomes and adverse events, the role of NPOs in dermatology continues to grow. Among Medicare beneficiaries, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are independently billing for a growing number of dermatologic procedures, whereas the number performed by dermatologists remains relatively stable. Medical spas are an increasingly popular destination for aesthetic consumers, and the majority employ only NPOs as primary providers. Recent data suggest that compared to dermatologists, NPOs have a higher rate of adverse events. As attempts are made to standardize and improve the training requirements for dermatologic procedures, a concerted effort should be made to prioritize patient outcomes and safety.