Increasing Access to Specialized Dermatology Care: A Retrospective Study Investigating Clinical Operation and Impact of a University-Affiliated Free Clinic
November 2020
in “
Dermatology and Therapy
”
TLDR The free clinic successfully provided specialized skin care to uninsured patients.
The retrospective study evaluated Hope@UMHS, a free clinic providing specialized dermatology care to uninsured individuals in Southeast Michigan, from April 2012 to February 2020. It included 294 referred patients, with 264 managed across 30 clinic sessions by 92 volunteers. Common conditions treated were atopic dermatitis (10.5%), seborrheic dermatitis (7.9%), and actinic keratosis (7.4%). A significant 68.2% of patients received new medications, and 102 procedures were performed, including the treatment of nine skin cancers, one being melanoma. The study found that 87% of patients received conclusive evaluation and treatment during their consultation, indicating the success of the integrated model of free dermatology care in a university hospital setting. The clinic's no-show rate was 13.4%, lower than average, and the study suggests potential improvements like incorporating teledermatology. The study was exempt from IRB review and had no external funding.