Public perception of dermatologists and comparison with other medical specialties: results from a national survey.

[BACKGROUND] The public's perception of dermatologists in the United States is unknown.

[OBJECTIVE] We sought to determine the US public's perception of how dermatologists spend time professionally and to compare the public's perception of dermatologists with physicians from other medical specialties.

[METHODS] We administered a telephone survey to the US public using the validated random digit dialing method.

[RESULTS] We made 2353 telephone calls to randomly selected active numbers from 10 US area codes. A total of 800 adults (34%) completed the telephone survey. Overall, 46% of participants perceived that dermatologists spend a majority of their time managing skin cancer. Of respondents, 27% perceived that dermatologists spend a majority of their time performing cosmetic procedures. Compared with dermatologists, primary care physicians were perceived to have a more critical profession by 63% of participants, a more difficult job by 54% of respondents, and work longer hours by 92% of those surveyed. Similar findings were observed when dermatologists were compared with cardiologists. The public perceived dermatologists to earn more than primary care physicians but less than cardiologists or plastic surgeons.

[LIMITATIONS] Potential differences may exist between responders and nonresponders.

[CONCLUSIONS] Educational efforts are necessary to better inform public understanding and perception of dermatologists' expertise.