Inpatient dermatology. United Kingdom and United States similarities: moving with the times or being relegated to the back bench?

Financial and managerial pressures have resulted in the rationalization of inpatient dermatology beds in the United Kingdom. Although these two countries have different populations and health care systems, both have been subject to similar drives toward cost containment. Advances in dermatology have broadened the reach of outpatient-based dermatological care that provides for most skin patients; however, inpatient treatment remains an important and essential therapeutic option for a group of patients. Dermatologic inpatient care may be inadequately and inefficiently provided by nondermatologists. It is important to ensure that the quality of dermatology inpatient services is maintained at the highest standard while using, and working within, a constantly evolving system of health care. Only then can dermatologists tailor the specialty to maximize the benefits for the patients and the profession as a whole.