Contact Dermatitis and Workforce Economics

Abstract

The roots of education in patch testing begin with Jadassohn and have been passed down through generations of dermatologists through didactic teachings and mentoring. Currently, we are faced with workforce economics tipping the balance of dermatology toward cosmetic and surgical practices. This imbalance is easily found in the subspecialty of contact dermatitis, where the current demand for patch test services is on the rise and the number of new dermatology-based patch test providers cannot keep up with the current demand. Steps are being made to remedy this discrepancy through societies and fellowships, yet the question remains: were the steps in time and were they big enough? © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.