Dermatology Consult 🩺
Guide for dermatology consultation and referral. Key information to provide, common indications, and referral scripts for NCHDs.
📋 Key Info to Have Ready
- Patient identifiers: full name, date of birth, location, and MRN
- Reason for consult and duration of skin issue (rash, lesion, etc.)
- Description of the skin issue: distribution, morphology, associated symptoms (e.g. pruritus, pain)
- History: recent illness, new medications, allergies, sun exposure, travel, occupational exposures
- PMH: eczema, psoriasis, acne, immunosuppression, known skin conditions
- Current and recent medications, particularly antibiotics or new meds
- Relevant bloods or cultures if systemic features present
- Photographs if available – ensure clear and well-lit
🔎 Investigations to Know
- Swabs for bacterial or viral culture if lesions are exudative
- Skin scrapings for mycology if fungal infection suspected
- Bloods: FBC, CRP, U&E, LFTs if systemic involvement suspected
- Consider biopsy if diagnosis unclear or serious pathology suspected (in consultation with derm team)
📞 Example Script
- Hi, this is [Your Name], the intern from the [Team Name]. I'm calling to request a dermatology consult for a [Age] year-old [M/F] patient with a [duration] history of [rash/skin lesion].
- The rash is [describe: e.g., erythematous, scaly, itchy, blistering] and affects the [location]. There’s no mucosal involvement or systemic symptoms currently.
- No new medications except for [X], and no history of similar complaints. FBC and CRP are normal.
- We’d appreciate your review to help guide diagnosis and management. I can send over photos if helpful.
📝 Tips
- Use accurate descriptive terms (e.g. macular, papular, vesicular, pustular)
- Mention mucosal involvement or systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, arthralgia)
- Ask patient if they’ve had anything similar before or used treatments already
- If possible, include photos in the referral for better triage