Evaluate the Effect of Inadequate Representation on Dermatology Education and its Impact on the Quality of Care for Patients of Color

Abstract

The concepts of diversity and representation are important in all career fields, but it is especially important in medical fields. In medical fields, treatment is dependent on the patient population and what and to whom the physicians are exposed to. Some medical fields suffer more than others as a result from a lack of diversity and representation. For instance, the field of dermatology is severely lacking in diversity, and it significantly affects their outcomes. There are various disparities that come with this lack of representation such as reduced patient outcomes and decreased quality of care. Education is a large part of solving and eliminating these disparities and increasing patient outcomes and the quality of care. This research analysis gathered data from various research papers to identify dermatological disparities within education. Once these disparities were identified, the papers were further evaluated to propose solutions for improving patient of color outcomes and their quality of care. This research examines how the treatment of patients of color is impacted by the lack of diversity in dermatology education. To achieve this, it assessed the quantity of dermatology-related physicians, text materials, clinical trial participants, and the degree of diversity inclusion. It also identified and proposed solutions to diversify dermatology by means of education. Based on the data and analysis conducted it is feasible to draw the conclusion that there is a general lack of diversity in dermatology education, which negatively affects patient outcomes and care quality.