Using Travel Time and Distance to Quantify Access to Rural Dermatologic Specialty Care in Rural, Southeast and Northwest Missouri

Abstract

Purpose: One- fifth of the United States population lives in rural communities, which can greatly limit residents’ access to healthcare. This study sought to quantify how distance and travel time is reduced with rural dermatology clinic presence to demonstrate its efficacy in improving specialty care access.

Methods: Over 500 participants completed one-time questionnaires detailing dermatologic care prior to visiting the new rural dermatology clinics. Home and prior healthcare provider zip codes were collected and used to calculate travel time and distance to care.

Findings: In southeast Missouri, the average distance traveled for patients who had previously seen a dermatologist in another city was reduced by 29 miles on average (median=29 miles, mode=34 miles). In northwest Missouri, the travel reduction to receive care after new clinic opening was, on average, 45.6 miles.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that dermatology specialty care in rural communities decreased distance traveled for patients with skin conditions. Reducing the distance between rural patients and specialty providers can lead to improved care for rural Americans.