Acne vulgaris is considered one of the most common medical skin conditions globally,
affecting approximately 85% of individuals worldwide. While acne is most prevalent among
adolescents between 15 to 24 years old, it is not uncommon in adults either. Acne addresses a
number of different challenges, causing a multidimensional disease burden. These challenges
include clinical sequelae, such as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and the chance
of developing lifelong disfiguring scars, psychological aspects such as deficits in health
related quality of life, chronicity of acne, economic factors, and treatment-related issues,
such as antimicrobial resistance. The multidimensionality of the disease burden stipulates
the importance of an effective and timely treatment in a well organised care system. Within
the Netherlands, acne care provision is managed by several types of professional care givers,
each approaching acne care from different angles: (I) general practitioners (GPs) who serve as
‘gatekeepers’ of healthcare within primary care; (II) dermatologists providing specialist medical
care within secondary care; (III) dermal therapists, a non-physician medical professional with a
bachelor’s degree, exclusively operating within the Australian and Dutch primary and secondary
health care; and (IV) beauticians, mainly working within the cosmetology or wellness domain.
However, despite the large variety in acne care services, many patients experience a delay
between the onset of acne and receiving an effective treatment, or a prolonged use of care,
which raises the question whether acne related care resources are being used in the most
effective and (cost)efficient way. It is therefore necessary to gain insights into the organization
and quality of Dutch acne health care beyond conventional guidelines and protocols. Exploring
areas of care that may need improvement allow Dutch acne healthcare services to develop
and improve the quality of acne care services in harmony with patient needs.
