Psychodermatologie in onderzoek en praktijk: Ontwikkelingen in academische centra in Nederland

There is increasing attention for psychosocial problems and quality of life in patients with skin diseases. In this article an overview is given of the current activities with regard to psychosocial care and research in the area of psychodermatology in the academic hospitals in the Netherlands. Results show that in general in all academic centers, attention is paid to the recognition of psychodermatological problems during the consult with the dermatologist and all centers provide possibilities for psychosocial treatment by social workers. In some centers there are more elaborated possibilities for the recognition and care of psychodermatological problems and also research in this area is being carried out. However, since the prevalence and impact of psychodermatological problems is high, the current possibilities for psychosocial treatment and research in the area of psychodermatology are not sufficient. The Dutch Association for Psychodermatology (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Psychodermatologie) aims to improve the knowledge and care with regard to psychodermatology by contributing to the implementation of a standardized screening for psychodermatological problems, by participating in education for health professionals and the realisation of a referral network for psychosocial health professionals with special expertise in the field of psychodermatology.