Disparities in the Use of Teledermatology During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in a Pediatric Dermatology Practice.
Telemed J E Health
; 29(5): 744-750, 2023 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36112352
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic required a rapid expansion of teledermatology services.Objective:
Analyze demographic shifts in a pediatric dermatology practice session with children of color.Methods:
A retrospective chart review of pediatric dermatology patients seen in the 4 practice weeks preceding the New York COVID-19 lockdown and comparable teledermatology visits during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Demographic differences (e.g., race, age, gender, and household income) were analyzed.Results:
A greater proportion of patients seen were White during lockdown (59.7%), compared with pre-lockdown (43.6%), with a reduction in Asian patients seen in lockdown (6.0%) compared with pre-lockdown (24.5%). A lower proportion of no-show patients (4.3%, 3/70 scheduled) were noted in lockdown compared with pre-lockdown (16%, 18/112). Preferred provider organizations (PPO) and higher-income zip codes were more common for children seen during lockdown.Limitations:
The sample addresses a limited New York pediatric dermatology practice during a short time period.Conclusions:
White patients and patients with PPO were more likely to access telehealth, supporting disparity in teledermatology services. These results demonstrate reduced health care access for lower-income and Asian children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
Dermatology
/
COVID-19
Aspects:
Equity_inequality
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Telemed J E Health
Journal subject:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: