Dermatologists

Dermatologists are medical professionals who specialize in skin conditions. This includes issues with a patient’s hair, nails, and mucous membranes. While often perceived as less important than internal medical conditions, the healthcare that dermatologists provide can be pivotal. If they make a mistake, it can lead to a missed diagnosis that could prevent you from getting the medical care you need to prevent a life-threatening condition.

Education and License Requirements for Dermatologists

Dermatology is a specialized field of practice for doctors. This means that all dermatologists have the same educational background as other doctors, plus an additional element that allows them to lay claim to specialized knowledge. Dermatologists have:

• A college degree
• An M.D. from an accredited medical school
• A completed residency program, which typically takes three years
• An additional one or two-year fellowship that specializes in dermatology

Once done with all of these educational requirements, dermatologists still to pass the exams to become a licensed member of the medical field. They also have to pass an exam to become certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

How Dermatologists Practice Medicine in Philadelphia

Most of the medical care that dermatologists provide can be done on an outpatient basis, with patients coming in to the dermatologist’s office for appointments and then going home without having to stay for a prolonged period of time while they recover. This dictates how dermatologists practice medicine in Philadelphia: They are overwhelming found in private practice or in solo offices.

In these practices, dermatologists help patients by diagnosing and treating a wide range of diseases and conditions, like:

• Infections
• Acne
• Dermatitis
• Burn injuries
• Eczema
• Skin cancer
• Melanoma

Dermatologists also provide minor surgical procedures in the course of their practice, like biopsies or mole removals.

Medical Malpractice and Dermatologists

Dermatologists can commit medical malpractice if the care that they provide to a patient falls below the minimal standard of care that one would expect from a specialist. This can happen if a dermatologist:

• Does not run tests that would have revealed a medical condition, like skin cancer
• Incorrectly reads the results of a test that reveals a medical condition, or fails to relay the information to the patient
• Delays in their diagnosis of a serious skin condition
• Provides the wrong treatment for the condition that was diagnosed
• Misses important and clear signs of a serious medical condition
• Improperly conduct a surgical procedure

Gilman & Bedigian: Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Philadelphia

The attorneys at Gilman & Bedigian legally represent victims of medical malpractice in Philadelphia, including those who have been hurt by dermatologists. While the consequences of medical malpractice by a dermatologist is often less severe than a mistake by another kind of medical professional, there are times when a mistake can be life-threatening to an unsuspecting patient. In those cases, the victim of the malpractice deserves to be compensated for the repercussions of their doctor’s negligence or poor conduct.

The lawyers at Gilman & Bedigian can make that happen. Contact them online to get started on your case.