A survey study on patient perspectives and knowledge of integrative health in the specialty of dermatology

Summary: Abstract Body: Integrative dermatology has gained increasing interest for its patient-centered approach to managing and uncovering the root causes of skin conditions. The field combines traditional dermatologic care with complementary therapies, including dietary supplements, herbal remedies, mind-body therapies, and nutritional counseling. Despite its potential benefits, integrative dermatology remains underutilized in practice. A 21-question survey was conducted to understand patient perspectives, knowledge, and attitudes toward integrative dermatology among University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) patients. Analysis of 205 completed surveys showed a strong patient preference for integrative care due to its alignment with their health beliefs. Notably, 64.39% of patients would visit an integrative dermatologist, including for acne (60.49%), atopic dermatitis (56.01%), and skin cancer (48.78%). Further, 74.63% of patients wished dermatologists discussed the impact of lifestyle factors on skin, including diet, sleep, exercise, and stress. Patients who felt dermatologists should pay more attention to social support (OR 3.33 (1.33-8.35) p=0.010) and spiritual health (OR 4.56 (1.51-13.71) p=0.007) had a greater likelihood of visiting an integrative dermatologist. If patients believed stress (OR 6.06 (1.45-25.41) p=0.01) or chronic health conditions (OR 2.28 (1.06-4.91) p=0.035) strongly impacted their skin health, they were more likely to visit an integrative dermatologist in the future. Despite the increased readiness of patients for integrative dermatology, 30.24% felt cost may be a barrier due to a lack of insurance coverage for alternative therapies and suspected higher prices compared to conventional medicine. Overall, the findings of this survey highlight potential drivers of patient preferences for integrative dermatology. Alana Sadur¹, Esha Sultana¹, Alejandra Curbelo-Paz¹, Madison Hackley², Sonal Choudhary¹ 1. Dermatology, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. 2. Internal Medicine, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research