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<p>Rural Americans face a significant challenge regarding access to dermatologic care. Many dermatologists reside and practice in urban areas, creating a disadvantage among rural communities. In response to this disparity, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) developed a comprehensive approach to improve access to dermatologic care for rural Mississippi residents. This strategy involved increasing the number of dermatologists, extending care into rural areas, and supporting rural physicians. UMMC established Mississippi’s only dermatology residency program, significantly increasing the number of practicing dermatologists within the state. A rural academic dermatology clinic was opened in Louisville, Mississippi, delivering approximately 5,000 patient visits annually while also serving as a training site for residents and students. The department created a dedicated rural residency slot for applicants committed to returning to underserved areas. UMMC complemented these efforts with practical tools to reach more patients. A Store-and-Forward teledermatology system was introduced to make it easy and accessible for primary care providers to consult dermatologists quickly. UMMC also hosts a monthly “Project ECHO” program, which offers continuing education and case discussions for rural providers. This initiative serves to enhance their ability to manage skin conditions and to promote staying up to date with current clinical guidelines. In order to reach a largely underserved area of the state, UMMC established a monthly free clinic in Rolling Fork, MS. This clinic provides in-person skin examinations and/or procedures for patients, most of whom are first identified through teledermatology. These combined efforts now support over 100,000 dermatology visits per year and have significantly improved and expanded access to care throughout rural Mississippi. The success of UMMC’s thoughtful and coordinated approach demonstrates that investing in rural focused training, outreach programs, and telehealth can have a real and positive impact on dermatologic access in underserved communities.</p>

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Access to care in rural America: the experience of an Academic Medical Center in Mississippi

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Camryn Slone,
  • Cody D. Estep,
  • Benjamin J. Rushing,
  • Robert T. Brodell,
  • Jeremy D. Jackson,
  • Adam C. Byrd,
  • Vinayak K. Nahar

摘要

Rural Americans face a significant challenge regarding access to dermatologic care. Many dermatologists reside and practice in urban areas, creating a disadvantage among rural communities. In response to this disparity, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) developed a comprehensive approach to improve access to dermatologic care for rural Mississippi residents. This strategy involved increasing the number of dermatologists, extending care into rural areas, and supporting rural physicians. UMMC established Mississippi’s only dermatology residency program, significantly increasing the number of practicing dermatologists within the state. A rural academic dermatology clinic was opened in Louisville, Mississippi, delivering approximately 5,000 patient visits annually while also serving as a training site for residents and students. The department created a dedicated rural residency slot for applicants committed to returning to underserved areas. UMMC complemented these efforts with practical tools to reach more patients. A Store-and-Forward teledermatology system was introduced to make it easy and accessible for primary care providers to consult dermatologists quickly. UMMC also hosts a monthly “Project ECHO” program, which offers continuing education and case discussions for rural providers. This initiative serves to enhance their ability to manage skin conditions and to promote staying up to date with current clinical guidelines. In order to reach a largely underserved area of the state, UMMC established a monthly free clinic in Rolling Fork, MS. This clinic provides in-person skin examinations and/or procedures for patients, most of whom are first identified through teledermatology. These combined efforts now support over 100,000 dermatology visits per year and have significantly improved and expanded access to care throughout rural Mississippi. The success of UMMC’s thoughtful and coordinated approach demonstrates that investing in rural focused training, outreach programs, and telehealth can have a real and positive impact on dermatologic access in underserved communities.