OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the skin diseases most frequently treated in the outpatient clinics of the dermatology departments in 5 university teaching hospitals located throughout France (Besançon, Brest, Lyons, Paris and St Etienne). METHODS: For 5 consecutive days, five dermatology departments assessed the types of skin diseases seen in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: 658 adult patients agreed to take part in the assessment. The dermatologist alone or with the help of the patient completed the individual questionnaires. Mean patient age was 48.9 ± 19.3 years. The 4 major dermatoses for which patients consulted were melanotic tumours, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne (18.1%, 10.6%, 10.2% and 5.4% of consultations respectively). Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne accounted for more than one quarter of appointments (26.2%). Atopic dermatitis and acne were the two primary reasons for consultation in the under 35s, accounting for respectively 20.9 and 14.7% while in the over 35 age group, melanotic tumours and psoriasis were the two major motives (21.3% and 10.2%, respectively). For all these dermatoses, the sex ratio was in favour of women (from 54 to 69%) with the exception of psoriasis, for which the sex ratio was, on the contrary, in biased towards men. In total, 39.1% of responders consulted their dermatologist when their skin condition worsened. The self-perceived stress level showed a statistically significant difference depending on the skin condition for which the appointment was made (11.4, 10.4, 9.2 and 8.9 for psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis and melanotic tumours). CONCLUSIONS: This assessment shows that patients of all ages visit hospital dermatology outpatient clinics. The diversity of the skin conditions treated at these clinics bears witness to the accessibility of appointments and is a clear indication of the need for these hospital clinics in addition to the dermatological care available in the community