THE PRACTICE OF ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOTHERAPY IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

A survey, using a postal questionnaire, was carried out to examine the current practice of UVB phototherapy in dermatology centres in the U. K. The questionnaire was sent to 115 dermatology departments, and soug ht information regarding the type and age of each machine used for ult raviolet B (UVB) phototherapy, methods of prescribing, recording and t erminating patient exposure, and the skin conditions treated. Complete d questionnaires were received from 87 of the 115 centres, giving a re sponse rate of 76%. The survey showed that an appreciable number of U. K. phototherapy cent-res are using equipment which is both old, and su boptimal in producing a therapeutic response. There appeared to be a w ide variation in the approach to phototherapy, both in terms of prescr ibing initial and incremental exposure, and in terminating treatment. The findings suggest that effectiveness and efficiency might be improv ed, and the risk/benefit ratio of phototherapy further reduced, by som e rationalization of treatment protocols.