Characteristics of board-certified pediatric dermatologists accepting Medicaid.

A current shortage of pediatric dermatologists limits access to dermatologic care among the pediatric population, yet comprehensive and updated data are lacking regarding access among the pediatric Medicaid population. This cross-sectional study characterized Medicaid acceptance among actively practicing board-certified pediatric dermatologists in the United States and revealed that of the 352 physicians compiled, 275 (78.1%) accept Medicaid. Significant differences in Medicaid acceptance status were observed based on practice type, region of practice, practice county median household income, and density of pediatric dermatologists. While the majority of practicing board-certified pediatric dermatologists accept Medicaid, our findings suggest that differences in access to Medicaid-accepting pediatric dermatologists exist based on practice type, geographic location, and density of pediatric dermatologists per county.

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch.

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch affect many patients seeking dermatologic or ophthalmologic care and have a high burden on patient quality of life. Clinicians should consider the broad range of possible diagnoses when approaching the patient with itch of the eyes or eyelids lasting more than 6 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common causes of chronic itch of the eyes and eyelids, respectively. Other diagnoses to consider include atopic dermatitis, xerosis, neurogenic itch, dry eye syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, blepharitis, rosacea, lichen simplex chronicus, and papulosquamous disorders. If no organic cause can be elucidated, diagnoses of psychogenic pruritus or chronic pruritus of unknown origin may be considered. Herein, we discuss the possible etiologies of chronic eyelid and ocular itch inclusive of clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and current therapies.

Trends and Differences in Aesthetic Device Industry Interaction Among Dermatologists at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Conference.

Objective: Laser and energy-based cosmetic medical device companies are not required to publicly report their interactions with physicians, resulting in limited data on physician-industry relationships in this domain. To gain a better understanding of these relationships, we characterized dermatology-industry interactions at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) conference, the largest meeting in the field of medical lasers and energy-based devices. Methods: Disclosures of all presenters and co-authors were collected for the 2014 and 2018 ASLMS conference programs. Demographic information including gender, fellowship training, and practice setting were obtained and quantified. Results: There was an increase in disclosures for both male and female dermatologists, 22 percent and 27 percent respectively, between 2014 and 2018, but males still had the greatest overall number of disclosures. The type of interaction varied based on gender with females highest reporting in 2018 being advisory board membership (19%) and males being honoraria (21%). Limitations: This study was limited by the inability to assess the monetary value of these interactions and assessment of only ASLMS. Conclusion: There is an increased but differential level of industry interaction among dermatologists between 2014 and 2018, with female dermatologists experiencing the greatest proportional increase.

Travel Distance and Time to Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment for Port-Wine Birthmark in the Pediatric Population.

Prior research has demonstrated that early treatment of port-wine birthmark (PWB) with pulsed dye laser (PDL) yields optimal patient outcomes. Given the known variations in practice patterns among dermatologists offering PDL, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis in order to determine the travel distance and time to practice locations offering PDL therapy for PWB among the pediatric population. We determined the travel time and distance from each county population center in the United States to the nearest PDL site using ArcGIS and linked the data to demographic characteristics in each census tract. 1,243 practice sites were identified that offer PDL treatment for PWB for patients under the age of 18. Children living in urban areas were found to have a significantly shorter median travel time and distance to PDL sites (6.1 miles, 11.8 minutes) compared to children living in rural areas (60.9 miles, 66.7 minutes). Additionally, uninsured children were found to travel longer average distances (32.2 miles) than insured children (24.2 miles). These findings suggest that certain socioeconomically disadvantaged groups have increased travel burden when obtaining PDL treatment for PWB. Transportation resources and support may need to be given to certain patients to ensure timely and effective PDL treatment.

Surface anatomy in dermatology: Part I - Clinical importance, diagnostic utility, and impact on medical management.

This continuing medical education (CME) series reviews updated Delphi consensus surface anatomy terminology through the lens of common medical and procedural dermatology scenarios, helping to underscore high-yield points that can be readily integrated into clinical practice to support patient care. Part I of this series will discuss the current state of surface anatomy terminology in dermatology, outline implications of precise and consistent terminology, provide an illustrative overview of high-yield consensus terminology, highlight prominent landmarks that can aid in critical diagnoses, and relate the importance of precise terminology to medical management. Part II will draw upon consensus terminology to inform management of cutaneous malignancies and support optimal outcomes in dermatologic procedures.

Surface anatomy in dermatology: Part II - Impact on perioperative management, procedural technique, and cosmesis.

This continuing medical education (CME) series reviews updated Delphi consensus surface anatomy terminology through the lens of common medical and procedural dermatology scenarios, helping to underscore high-yield points that can be readily integrated into clinical practice to support patient care. Part I of the series reviewed the current state of standardized surface anatomy, provided an illustrative review of consensus terminology, highlighted prominent landmarks that can aid in critical diagnoses, and related the importance of precise terminology to principles of medical management. Part II will utilize consensus terminology to heighten recognition of key landmarks in procedural dermatology to support optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Differential patient travel distance and time to psoriasis clinical trial sites.

Considering the known disparities in racial representation in psoriasis clinical trials, this study sought to characterize travel distance and time to reach a psoriasis clinical trial site as a potential barrier to trial participation for multiple demographic and geographic variables. We determined travel distance and time from every census tract population center in the United States to the nearest psoriasis clinical trial site using ArcGIS and linked travel estimates to demographic characteristics in each census tract based on 2020 American Community Survey. The average distance and time traveled to reach a psoriasis clinical trial site nationally were 45.6 miles and 51.8 min, respectively. Urban residence and Northeast location had significantly lower travel distance and time relative to their geographic counterparts. Travel burden was significantly greater among Native American and Black races, individuals without college education and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries relative to their counterparts. These findings reveal disparate access regarding rurality, race, education and insurance type, which may encourage investigators to increase travel funding for underrepresented groups and diversity recruitment efforts to promote access to psoriasis clinical trials.

Travel distance and time to dermatology clinical trial sites: a cross-sectional geospatial analysis.

Despite increasing calls for diversity in clinical trial recruitment, data are lacking regarding disparities in access to dermatologic clinical trials. The objective of this study was to characterize travel distance and time to reach a dermatology clinical trial site considering patient demographic and location characteristics. We determined travel distance and time from every census tract population center in the United States to the nearest dermatologic clinical trial site using ArcGIS and linked travel estimates to demographic characteristics in each census tract based on 2020 American Community Survey. Nationally, patients travel an average of 14.3 miles and 19.7 min to reach a dermatologic clinical trial site. Significantly shorter travel distance and time were observed for urban and Northeast residence, White and Asian race and private insurance relative to rural and Southern residence, Native American and Black race and public insurance (p < 0.001). These findings reveal disparate access regarding geographic region, rurality, race and insurance type, which may encourage investigators to allocate funding for travel assistance for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups to promote access and diversity in dermatologic clinical trials.