Increasing Access to Specialized Dermatology Care: A Retrospective Study Investigating Clinical Operation and Impact of a University-Affiliated Free Clinic

Autor: Julie Brown, Ann Marie Peterson, Reinie Thomas, Timothy M. Johnson, Jean Cederna, Thomas Hester, Kelly B. Cha
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Dermatology and Therapy
ISSN: 2190-9172
2193-8210
DOI: 10.1007/s13555-020-00462-z
Popis: Introduction Our objective was to study the impact and clinical operation of an integrated model for free specialized dermatology care via collaboration between an academic institution and a nonprofit outpatient clinic through an analysis of patient demographics and care provided. Methods Hope@UMHS is a partnership between the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) and Hope Clinic (HC) which provides free specialty consultations to uninsured residents of Southeast Michigan. A retrospective chart review was completed for patients referred to the UMHS Dermatology clinic as part of the HOPE@UMHS collaboration from April 2012 through February 2020. Results Of the 294 referred patients, 264 were managed in 30 clinic sessions over 8 years, staffed by 92 unique volunteers. Patients most commonly presented with atopic dermatitis (10.5%), seborrheic dermatitis (7.9%), and actinic keratosis (7.4%). The majority of patients (68.2%) were prescribed at least one new medication. Nine skin cancers, including one melanoma, were diagnosed and treated. There were 102 procedures performed. Eighty-seven percent of patients received conclusive evaluation and treatment at the time of their consultation. Conclusion Our experience illustrates that providing free, comprehensive dermatology care in a university hospital by partnering with a nonprofit clinic is both feasible and beneficial to the greater community.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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