The Dermatologic Care Needs of a Rural Community in South Florida

Abstract

For patients in rural areas, primary care is often their only access to healthcare services, and skin concerns are among the most common diseases seen in these settings. This study aims to investigate the most common skin conditions, management trends and patterns of referral to dermatology in a rural and underserved community in South Florida. A retrospective chart review was conducted using medical records from the C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic in Belle Glade, FL. The most common skin conditions were fungal infections, unspecified dermatitis, pruritus, skin cancer concern, alopecia, and autoimmune skin disorders. The most frequent management strategy was medication prescription followed by specialist referral. Of the 21 percent of patients referred to a specialist, 55 percent of these were to dermatology. The most common diagnoses referred to dermatology were atopic dermatitis and alopecia. Only 20 percent of these patients reported attending their follow-up appointment, and the average distance to referral was 21 miles. Belle Glade is unique in its need for and access to dermatologic care. The lack of access to specialists in rural communities is a public health issue that more studies and outreach initiatives should address.

Intralesional 5-Fluorouracil in the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an Elderly Patient

“…Another limitation for patients is the lack of access to a dermatologist. Access to a dermatologist is difficult to obtain for patients, such as those in rural areas, and there are non-compliance issues due to the distance from the nearest dermatologist [ 12 ]. Primary care physicians (PCPs) could potentially use IL5-FU areas where access is limited.…”

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“…To this end, one retrospective review of medical records from a rural primary care clinic in Florida found that visits regarding skin cancer concerns were some of the most common dermatology-related encounters [ 16 ]. However, only 20% of patients were documented as having followed-up on their subsequent referral to a dermatologist.…”

Development of the Dermal Effect of Pesticides on Professional Contingents Using Innovative 3rive 3d Technology

“…Farmers are also exposed to pesticides during mixing, loading of pesticides, and when cleaning equipment and disposing of empty containers. Other activities associated with exposure include planting pesticidetreated seeds, weeding, and harvesting previously sprayed crops [6,7,8,9]. In the first decades of pesticides use, the main problem was the risk of acute intoxication among people who were occupationally exposed.…”

“…In the first decades of pesticides use, the main problem was the risk of acute intoxication among people who were occupationally exposed. But nowadays, the problem of diseases not directly related to the toxic potential of pesticides, most of which are non-toxic dermatoses, is gaining more and more interest [6,7,8,9]. Most of the dermatoses associated with pesticide application are contact dermatitis, both allergic and irritant.…”

“…Most of the dermatoses associated with pesticide application are contact dermatitis, both allergic and irritant. There are also rare clinical forms, including urticaria, erythema multiforme, ashen dermatosis, parakeratosis multicolor, porphyria cutaneous late, chloracne, skin hypopigmentation, nail, and hair disorders [6,7,8,9]. Farmers exposed to arsenic pesticides are at risk of occupational skin cancer, mainly Bowen's disease (carcinoma in situ), multiple basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas [6,7,8,9].…”