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. 2023 Sep;16(9):38–40.

TABLE 1.

Differences between experts and non-experts in HS background, interest, and barriers to expertise

VARIABLE EXPERT (N=49) MEAN NON-EXPERT (N=39) MEAN
Comfort level treating patients with HS
  Mild disease 4.62 4.39*
  Moderate disease 4.54 4.00**
  Severe disease 4.23 3.16**
Interest in regularly providing care for HS patients
  Mild disease 4.51 3.90 *
  Moderate disease 4.72 3.74 **
  Severe disease 4.67 3.29 **
  I would rather refer HS patients with moderate-to-severe disease to another dermatologist 1.67 3.00 **
Amount of HS education
  Medical School 1.62 1.63
  Residency 3.28 3.59
Residency training provided experience using medical therapies for
  Mild disease 3.82 4.23
  Moderate disease 3.59 3.87
  Severe disease 3.21 3.17
Residency training provided experience using surgical therapies for
  Mild disease 3.18 3.50
  Moderate disease 2.92 2.76
  Severe disease 2.67 2.21
Barriers to becoming an HS expert
  Training/education on medical therapies 2.82 2.88
  Experience with medical therapies 3.05 2.83
  Training/education on surgical therapies 3.59 4.08
  Experience with surgical therapies 3.67 4.13
  Support/mentorship in treating advanced disease 3.33 3.67
  Insurance coverage/reimbursement for HS treatments 3.54 3.67
  Clinic logistics (e.g., adjusting schedule for HS appointments) 3.33 3.43
  Access to equipment (ex: laser) 3.55 3.29

Statistical significance of Mann-Whitney U test denoted by

*p<0.05,

**p<0.00063 (Bonferroni-adjusted α)