DERMATOLOGICAL CONSULTATIONS IN A NURSING HOME

Abstract

Skin diseases are predominantly non-lethal, but can have a significant impact on quality of life in older people living in a nursing home. This short report shows the results of consultations of a dermatologist visiting people in a nursing home. The frequency of the visits was 3-4 times a year, from June 2013 to December 2016. This is the description of all consultations of fifty residents, seen during eleven visits, 53 treatment plans were made. Sixty percent of consults were on suspected oncological conditions and treatment decisions were often more reticent due to impairment in mobility, life expectancy and comorbidities. The model (visiting dermatologist in nursing home) was evaluated as very valuable complementary care alongside normal dermatological care provided by the physician in the nursing home and the possibility of telemedicine. This type of palliative dermatological care in cooperation between a hospital and a nursing home is worth being studied.