Public behaviours toward patients with dermatological diseases: a comprehensive review of public perception determinants.

Introduction: Public perceptions of skin diseases can cause stigma, leading to embarrassment, isolation, and poor quality of life. This may prevent treatment, delay diagnosis, and increase healthcare costs. To improve outcomes, healthcare policies should promote accurate perceptions and better patient care. Aim: This review examines the impact of stereotypes, stigma, media influence, and cultural factors on the perception, knowledge and attitudes of the public towards individuals with skin diseases and discussing the implications for healthcare practices and patient outcomes. Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted of the main databases available for health research - PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar - using keywords related to public perception, knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and skin diseases. To ensure the reliability of the extracted data, two reviewers conducted the review independently and combined their findings. For analysis of the collated data, thematic analysis was then employed so that the key themes from the selected studies could be rigorously identified and explored. Results: Key findings include different levels of awareness among the public, the influence of information sources such as healthcare providers, the media, and personal experiences. Factors such as education, socioeconomic status, personal experiences, and the influence of the healthcare providers also play important roles in shaping the perception, knowledge, and attitudes. Conclusions: Overall, this review underscores the need for collaborative efforts across different sectors aimed at promoting accurate knowledge, empathy, and inclusivity towards individuals with skin diseases.