Assessment of Primary Care Physicians’ Ability to Recognize Common Skin Conditions in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) should have adequate skills to manage common skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo, and reduce the rate of referrals to dermatologists. Objective The aim of this study was to assess PCPs' knowledge in diagnosing and managing common dermatological conditions. Methods This cross-sectional survey study involved PCPs in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, case scenarios, and questions assessing the ability to manage skin conditions. Knowledge scores were calculated by assigning one point for each correct answer. Participants rated their perceived ability on a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree). Results Diagnostic accuracy was generally high, with between 61.5% and 89.8% of respondents correctly identifying the presented cases. However, only about 50% had effective knowledge of tinea corporis, seborrheic keratosis, acute urticaria, and tinea capitis. Higher knowledge levels correlated with older age (p<0.001), being a consultant or specialist (p<0.001), and working in primary healthcare (p<0.001). While 63.2% felt confident in managing common skin conditions, this confidence correlated weakly with overall knowledge (rho = 0.261, p = 0.002). Additionally, over 90% of PCPs agreed to refer difficult cases. Conclusions The knowledge of PCPs in the management of common skin conditions showed several serious deficiencies, leading to unnecessary referrals to dermatologists. There is a need for specific dermatology training programs for PCPs. Dermatology courses in medical school curricula should focus on preparing students to manage common skin conditions.