Improving Equitable Access to UMass Dermatology

Doctor Tracy Otto and resident Gabriella Paquette presented their project aimed at improving equitable access to UMass Dermatology, particularly within the adult dermatology clinic. They were guided by Dr. Rita Kadosh and supported by a team that included fellows and analysts. The project arose from recognizing a discordance in patient diversity between the clinic and the Worcester community, particularly regarding underrepresentation of Black, Latino, and Asian patients in adult care, although pediatric populations were more aligned. They noted inefficiencies with appointment scheduling, with an average wait of 80 days for a new patient. The initiative involved creating an evidence-based screening tool to optimize skin cancer screening practices and reduce unnecessary low-risk exams, which predominantly targeted white patients. They implemented a risk assessment tool in the Epic electronic health record system, allowing for tailored screening recommendations based on individual patient histories. Early feedback indicated broad support from providers, though some adjustments were suggested to highlight special considerations for at-risk populations. Moving forward, the team plans to evaluate demographic changes and appointment metrics to measure the tool's effectiveness over the coming months.