Bridging the skin care gap

Signals: Issues on the skin could be a sign of deeper problems affecting the whole body, says the writer. — CIXIA/Wikimedia Commons

THE skin is the largest organ of the human body, yet in the realm of standard medical training, it is frequently treated as an afterthought. During standard medical school rotations and primary care residencies, doctors often receive only a few weeks of formal dermatological exposure.

Reality hits quickly when we enter independent practice in Malaysia, though. Statistically, roughly one in five patients walking into a community family clinic presents with a dermatological complaint. From stubborn eczema and adult acne to mysterious rashes and changing moles, the absolute frontline of skincare belongs firmly to primary care.