Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review

Abstract BackgroundStudent-run clinics (SRCs) for dermatology hold potential to significantly advance skin-related health equity, and a comprehensive analysis of these clinics may inform strategies for optimizing program effectiveness. ObjectiveWe aimed to perform...

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Main Authors: Samir Kamat, Aneesh Agarwal, Leore Lavin, Hannah Verma, Lily Martin, Jules B Lipoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2024-12-01
Series:JMIR Dermatology
Online Access:https://derma.jmir.org/2024/1/e59368
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author Samir Kamat
Aneesh Agarwal
Leore Lavin
Hannah Verma
Lily Martin
Jules B Lipoff
author_facet Samir Kamat
Aneesh Agarwal
Leore Lavin
Hannah Verma
Lily Martin
Jules B Lipoff
author_sort Samir Kamat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundStudent-run clinics (SRCs) for dermatology hold potential to significantly advance skin-related health equity, and a comprehensive analysis of these clinics may inform strategies for optimizing program effectiveness. ObjectiveWe aimed to perform a scoping review of the literature about dermatology SRCs across the United States. MethodsWe conducted systematic literature searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Scopus on March 1, 2023, and June 19, 2024. No date, language, or paper-type restrictions were included in the search strategy. A total of 229 references were uploaded to Covidence for screening by 2 independent reviewers (SK and LL), and 23 full-text documents were assessed for eligibility. After an additional 8 documents were identified through a gray literature search, a total of 31 studies were included in the final analysis. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies set in an SRC, which was operationally led by medical students and could render condition-relevant treatments to patients, with dermatology care; (2) published in English; (3) within the United States; (4) included characterization of any of the following: logistics, care, patients, or design; and (5) included all study or document types, including gray literature that was not peer reviewed (eg, conference abstracts, preprints, and letters to the editor). Exclusion criteria were (1) papers not published in English and (2) those with duplicated data or that were limited in scope or not generalizable. Data were extracted qualitatively using Microsoft Excel to categorize the studies by several domains, including clinic location, demographics, services offered, and barriers to care. ResultsThere are at least 19 dermatology SRCs across the United States. The most common conditions encountered included atopic dermatitis; acne; fungal infections; benign nevi; psoriasis; and neoplasms, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Key facilitators for the clinics included faculty oversight, attending physician participation for biopsy histopathology, and dedicated program coordinators. Major barriers included lack of follow-up, medication nonadherence, and patient no-shows. ConclusionsDermatology SRCs serve a diverse patient population, many of whom are underrepresented in traditional dermatology settings. This scoping review provides insights to help build stronger program foundations that better address community dermatologic health needs.
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spelling doaj-art-08c08a1a8bcd46e1b9d0346c24fec15e2025-08-20T02:34:52ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Dermatology2562-09592024-12-017e59368e5936810.2196/59368Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping ReviewSamir Kamathttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0761-231XAneesh Agarwalhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6614-3763Leore Lavinhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-2793-5282Hannah Vermahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0402-7828Lily Martinhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0670-866XJules B Lipoffhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0557-4260 Abstract BackgroundStudent-run clinics (SRCs) for dermatology hold potential to significantly advance skin-related health equity, and a comprehensive analysis of these clinics may inform strategies for optimizing program effectiveness. ObjectiveWe aimed to perform a scoping review of the literature about dermatology SRCs across the United States. MethodsWe conducted systematic literature searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Scopus on March 1, 2023, and June 19, 2024. No date, language, or paper-type restrictions were included in the search strategy. A total of 229 references were uploaded to Covidence for screening by 2 independent reviewers (SK and LL), and 23 full-text documents were assessed for eligibility. After an additional 8 documents were identified through a gray literature search, a total of 31 studies were included in the final analysis. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies set in an SRC, which was operationally led by medical students and could render condition-relevant treatments to patients, with dermatology care; (2) published in English; (3) within the United States; (4) included characterization of any of the following: logistics, care, patients, or design; and (5) included all study or document types, including gray literature that was not peer reviewed (eg, conference abstracts, preprints, and letters to the editor). Exclusion criteria were (1) papers not published in English and (2) those with duplicated data or that were limited in scope or not generalizable. Data were extracted qualitatively using Microsoft Excel to categorize the studies by several domains, including clinic location, demographics, services offered, and barriers to care. ResultsThere are at least 19 dermatology SRCs across the United States. The most common conditions encountered included atopic dermatitis; acne; fungal infections; benign nevi; psoriasis; and neoplasms, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Key facilitators for the clinics included faculty oversight, attending physician participation for biopsy histopathology, and dedicated program coordinators. Major barriers included lack of follow-up, medication nonadherence, and patient no-shows. ConclusionsDermatology SRCs serve a diverse patient population, many of whom are underrepresented in traditional dermatology settings. This scoping review provides insights to help build stronger program foundations that better address community dermatologic health needs.https://derma.jmir.org/2024/1/e59368
spellingShingle Samir Kamat
Aneesh Agarwal
Leore Lavin
Hannah Verma
Lily Martin
Jules B Lipoff
Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
JMIR Dermatology
title Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
title_full Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
title_fullStr Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
title_short Dermatology in Student-Run Clinics in the United States: Scoping Review
title_sort dermatology in student run clinics in the united states scoping review
url https://derma.jmir.org/2024/1/e59368
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