Audrina Medina - Dermatology
Highlighting the Global Healthcare Issues in Dermatology
Audrina Medina
Dermatology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Dermatologists address a variety of skin conditions, from acne and eczema to even more severe conditions like skin cancer. Through physical exams, biopsies and lab tests, they play a vital role in identifying harmful skin conditions and providing tailored care. While dermatology offers individuals an opportunity to improve their comfortability and quality of life, racial disparities within the healthcare system reveal that these benefits are not equally accessible to all.
Dermatological diseases often represent differently across skin tones, making it essential for education materials to be inclusive to all skin types. However, current dermatology education does not adequately show this diversity. A study of commonly used medical textbooks found that darker skin tones are significantly underrepresented. Since dermatology strongly requires visual assessment, this lack of representation can obstruct the development of necessary skills to evaluate skin conditions on diverse patients. This disparity directly impacts the ability of dermatologists to correctly diagnose people of color, the timing of treatment and ultimately worsens the health of that individual.
Equitable care shouldn’t depend on the color of the patient’s skin, but on the quality of the training that every healthcare professional receives. Without inclusive education materials, the system will continue to fail those it should protect.
Meet the Author: Audrina Medina - Junior
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