Travel Distance for Rural South Dakota Dermatology Care.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rural Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Dermatologist distribution in the U.S. heavily favors urban areas, with less than 10% practicing rurally.
• Rurality, delayed diagnosis, and increased travel are linked to poorer skin malignancy outcomes.
• The study addresses the impact of losing local rural dermatologists on patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of losing a rural dermatology clinic on patient travel distance and likelihood to seek care.
• To understand how patients in rural areas would adapt to the absence of local dermatological services.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to patients of a rural dermatology clinic in Yankton, South Dakota.
• The survey collected data on current travel distance, willingness to travel further, and use of primary care for dermatologic issues.
• Study participants were patients of the sole dermatology clinic in the area, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Main Results:

• 53.5% of patients were unsure where they would seek dermatological care if their local clinic closed.
• Patients reported an average willingness to travel 42.6 miles further to access non-outreach dermatology clinics.
• Over 25% of patients were unwilling to travel additional distances for care, with willingness increasing with age.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the hypothesis that the absence of a local rural dermatologist significantly increases patient travel distance and decreases the likelihood of receiving care.
• Barriers to dermatological care in rural regions necessitate proactive strategies and innovative solutions.
• Further research is required to identify confounding factors and develop effective interventions for rural dermatological access.