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For several years authors have used a sequence of novel approaches which provide challenging and rewarding laboratory experiences for nonmajor students.

A three-year study of 393 patients with skin diseases and employment or school attendance problems revealed that approximately 54% had a vocational disability or a limitation in their ability to carry on their major activity which appeared to be directly due to their skin disease. Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis were the skin diseases most often responsible for the disability experienced by the majority of these patients. A selected group of patients were enrolled in a special clinical facility, a Dermatology Rehabilitation Unit, where they received comprehensive medical and vocational rehabilitation services. The response of the patients to this type of management and various factors which may be important in the production of dermatologic disability are discussed.