Year: 2009
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Members of minority groups are generally low utilizers of dermatologic specialty care.Research in the area of health disparities among minority ethnic groups in dermatology is limited.Racial and ethnic disparities in the basic science knowledge, epidemiologic evaluation, and clinical investigations of dermatologic disease have been reported.This study sought to expand on previous research in an attempt to better understand the factors related to access to dermatologic care among minority populations. METHODS:The study was a cross-sectional survey designed to explore reasons for the reduced use of dermatologists among minority populations.The study population was recruited from medical offices affiliated with the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) and Hartford Hospital (HH).One hundred and thirty individuals participated in this study.Data were analyzed using a combination of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis.The independent variables were barriers that were found in the literature and those identified during phase one of the study.The dependent variable was use of dermatologic care.SAS® (Statistical Analysis Software) was used to conduct all the analyses. RESULTS:This study examined numerous reasons for reduced use of dermatologists by minority populations.The statistically significant reasons for limited use of dermatologists were:• "I have to wait a long time for an appointment"• "I am not sure if insurance will cover it"• "I don't have a dermatologist"• "My problems are not taken seriously"• "My doctor doesn't listen to me"• "I was not pleased with the service at the doctor's office" Other factors related to not seeing a dermatologist were, whether or not the individual was employed, the location where the patient was recruited, the financial resources of the individual, and knowing someone who had seen a dermatologist.CONCLUSION: All of the reasons found to have a significant relationship to use of dermatologic care are amenable to interventions such as educating patients, educating providers, and making changes in the health care delivery system.Promoting greater use of specialized dermatologic care among racial and ethnic minorities is important because this population group is at risk for significant skinrelated problems.
Author: Titilopemi Aina
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1551983052