Association of Melanoma Mortality Rates and Geographic Density of Dermatology and Hematology-Oncology Specialists

The study analyzed the link between melanoma mortality rates and the presence of dermatology and hematology-oncology specialists using data from the SEER database and the CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System. Results showed that counties with at least one dermatologist or hematology/oncology specialist had higher 5-year survival rates for melanoma, with a 3.69% improvement in counties with dermatologists and a 2.33% improvement in counties with hematology/oncology specialists. Additionally, each additional dermatologist per 100,000 population was associated with a 0.496% increase in 5-year melanoma survival, while the number of hematology/oncology specialists did not significantly affect mortality rates. The study emphasized the lack of specialists in many US areas, especially rural ones, and suggested that greater dermatologist density correlates with better melanoma survival outcomes.