Hospital-based Dermatology Consultations in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Trends, Frequencies, and Health System Relevance

Skin diseases are a major global health issue and often require specialized hospital care. There is limited evidence on inpatient dermatology consultations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, despite their importance to health systems and medical education.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital from November 2022 to January 2024, reviewing 346 consultations to examine patient demographics, diagnoses, and treatments. The study also assessed referral patterns and the potential impact of these consultations on patient care, health systems, and medical staff training.

Most referrals came from Internal Medicine (47.4%), Emergency Medicine (13.9%), and Surgery (13.3%). The most common diagnoses were inflammatory and immune diseases (39.0%) and infections (19.2%). Biopsies were the most commonly used diagnostic procedure (44.4%), and combination therapies, particularly those containing steroids and antihistamines, were the most common treatments.

The study helps fill a regional evidence gap and highlights the important role of inpatient dermatology in supporting medical training and interdisciplinary inpatient care.

Dermatology consultations are important in inpatient care because they address common conditions like inflammatory and infectious diseases. They may contribute to improved patient outcomes and provide essential training for dermatology residents. Better education for non-dermatologist clinicians could encourage teamwork and further improve patient care.