Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan YY(1), Chan YH(1), Lam WY(1), Ho TB(1), Liang J(1), Ng YS(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of Family Medicine & Primary Health Care, New Territories West Cluster, Hospital Authority
Keyword 1: :
Primary care
Keyword 2: :
Family medicine
Introduction: :
Warts are a common skin condition in primary care. Complications of wart ranges from being infectious, to pain as well as psychosocial impact. Patients who failed topical treatment require cryotherapy in dermatology specialist clinics in the public sector. However, there is long waiting time for Dermatology Specialist Outpatient clinic (SOPC) under the Department of Health. A structured cryotherapy program for common warts was established in the NTWC to improve patient care and reduce referral to SOPC.
Objectives: :
To provide more comprehensive care to the public community. To shorten waiting time for patients requiring cryotherapy for warts. To empower primary care doctors in developing cryotherapy skills.
Methodology: :
Adult patients with common wart who had attended NTWC Family Medicine clinic (FMC) or Staff Clinic, and have opted for cryotherapy as treatment alternative were referred to Tuen Mun Hospital Family Medicine Specialist Clinic (TMH FMSC) for management. Assessments and management were conducted by family doctors in TMH TMSC. Cryotherapy were performed by junior doctors under the supervision of family physician specialists. Patients who attended between January 2023 and June 2025 were reviewed.
Result & Outcome: :
A total of 30 patients (14 males and 16 females, aged 17 to 86 years, with an average age of 56.4) were referred from NTWC FMC or Staff Clinic to TMH FMSC, with an average waiting time of 4 weeks. Four patients were diagnosed with callus, skin tag, eczema, and seborrheic keratosis instead of warts after assessment by FMSC doctors. They were managed accordingly. Among the remaining 26 patients, wart lesions were located on the face (1), upper limb (13), and lower limb (2). Two patients were referred to the dermatology SOPC due to facial and large warts. One patient declined cryotherapy and opted to continue topical treatment. Of the 23 who underwent cryotherapy, the number of sessions received by patients ranged from 1 to 7 (average: 2.7 sessions). All were cured, with no reported complications. During this period, six family doctors had acquired cryotherapy skills. In conclusion, this program demonstrated that cryotherapy for common warts could be effectively performed by family doctors. With adequate training, family doctors can perform dermatological procedures, significantly reducing referrals to Dermatology SOPCs and improving patient care.
