By Allison Sit
A study in the Journal of the National Medical Association found racial disparities that led to a delay in diagnosis and dermatologic care in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The respective chart review of 953 patients at an urban Midwestern academic center found non-white patients had a longer delay in diagnosis compared to their white counterparts. In addition, white patients and Hispanic patients saw a dermatologist an average of 3 years after first presentation of HS, while Black patients saw a dermatologist on average 5 years after first presentation. Of the patients who did see dermatology, 44.9% of Black patients saw surgery before dermatology compared with 31.6% of white patients.
“Racial disparities may exacerbate the already devastating effects of HS on quality of life and worsen the burden that HS places on the healthcare system through emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and possibly preventable surgeries,” the authors wrote.
A study in JAMA Dermatology found limited racial, ethnic and sexual orientation diversity of allopathic medical students pursuing dermatology compared with students pursuing other medical specialties. Researchers analyzed data from the 2016 to 2019 Association of American Medical Colleges Graduation Questionnaires. Researchers also found allopathic medical students pursuing dermatology were less likely than students pursuing other specialties to intend to care for the underserved or practice public health. Yet among students pursing dermatology, those with female, underrepresented minority and sexual minority identities were independently associated with increased odds of caring for underserved populations and practicing public health.
“Dermatology is one of the least diverse specialties, while patients from minority racial and ethnic groups and other underserved populations continue to face numerous dermatology-specific health and health care access disparities in the U.S.,” wrote the authors. “These findings suggest that efforts are needed to increase interest in dermatology among students from underrepresented racial and ethnic and sexual minority backgrounds and overall interest in underserved care and public health among students pursuing dermatology.”
Patients with seborrheic dermatitis have a new platform for find support and medically reviewed information to better manage their condition. MyHealthTeam, with sponsorship by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, created MySebDermTeam.com, a social network that helps patients with seborrheic dermatitis to more effectively work with their doctors throughout their diagnosis and treatment.
“Despite impacting up to 5% of the population, seborrheic dermatitis is widely under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly among underserved populations,” said Frank Watanabe, president and CEO of Arcutis. “We are committed to meeting those living with seborrheic dermatitis where they are and providing understandable education and community support to help them better diagnose and manage their condition.”
“Members of MySebDermTeam will learn from each other and from our panel of dermatological experts, giving them a safe alternative to ‘Dr. Google,’” said Eric Peacock, cofounder and CEO of MyHealthTeam.
MyHealthTeam will work with seborrheic dermatitis experts to develop free educational content for MySebDermTeam, which will include a symptom tracking guide, images of the condition on different body parts and skin tones.
