Dermatology Appointments as an Indicator of Systemic Healthcare Issues

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Puerto Rico faces economic challenges impacting healthcare, including a shortage of dermatologists.
• An aging population exacerbates long wait times for dermatology appointments, affecting patient quality of life (QOL).
• These delays disproportionately affect underserved populations in Puerto Rico.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess dermatology appointment wait times in Puerto Rico.
• To evaluate the impact of these wait times on patient QOL.
• To identify factors influencing wait times and QOL outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study conducted in summer 2023 involving 464 participants from 12 dermatology clinics.
• Data collected via questionnaires on demographics, wait times, and use of over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.
• The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to measure QOL impact; statistical analyses included t-tests and chi-squared tests.

Main Results:

• 55% of participants waited over three months for appointments, averaging 2.5 months.
• Women experienced longer wait times and reported greater QOL impacts (higher DLQI scores) than men.
• Over 38% reported symptom worsening during waits, and 65.5% used OTC remedies.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged dermatology wait times in Puerto Rico have detrimental effects on patient QOL.
• The findings underscore the urgent need to address the dermatology workforce shortage, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
• Improving access to dermatological care is essential for better patient outcomes and reduced health disparities.