Improving care for delusional infestation patients: What can dermatologists learn from an entomologist?

Dermatol Online J. 2021 Nov 15;27(11). doi: 10.5070/D3271156087.

Abstract

Delusional Infestation (DI), represents one of the most difficult patient encounters that dermatology practitioners may experience. It is common for DI patients to doctor shop. Thus, dermatologists are one of several disciplines that may encounter DI patients in their practices. Others include veterinarians, epidemiologists, emergency departments, mental health practitioners, and entomologists. In this article, entomologist, Dr. Gale E. Ridge, with extensive DI experience, was interviewed to find out what an entomologist's perspective has been and what we, the dermatology providers, can learn from that. This is followed by a discussion by the dermatology experts on how the experience of entomologists compares to our experience and what we can learn from them.

Publication types

  • Interview

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communication
  • Delusional Parasitosis / psychology*
  • Delusional Parasitosis / therapy*
  • Dermatologists / education*
  • Entomology*
  • Humans
  • Pets
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology
  • Specimen Handling
  • Time Factors