‘Guidelines are not the issue, access to support and advice is the problem’; A cross sectional survey of general practitioners referring to paediatric dermatology

This study describes the findings from a cross sectional survey of 206 general practitioners (GPs), investigates the factors affecting the referral process to secondary care and highlights challenges faced. The results showed that most GPs are interested in caring for children with skin diseases locally, given sufficient support and training. However, challenges arise due to limited access to resources and advice, high demand on dermatology services, and the need for better collaboration between generalists and specialists. We suggest sharing knowledge and lessons learned from quality improvement exercises to create a more effective and connected care system.