The Dermatologic Care Needs of a Rural Community in South Florida
February 2023
in “
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
”
TLDR Rural South Florida faces challenges in accessing dermatologic care, with many patients not attending specialist appointments.
The study investigated the dermatologic care needs of Belle Glade, a rural community in South Florida, revealing common conditions such as fungal infections (35%), unspecified dermatitis (24%), and alopecia (4%). Despite the need for specialized care, only 21% of patients were referred to specialists, and just 20% attended follow-up appointments, primarily due to the 21-mile distance to specialists and socioeconomic barriers. The study highlighted the need for improved access to dermatologic care, suggesting alternative methods like telemedicine and mobile clinics, and called for further research and outreach to address these gaps in rural healthcare services.
