A new survey indicates that improved quality of care for children of colour will be achieved only by an increased focus on particular areas of education for physicians.
According to this article in Pediatric Dermatology (Aug. 21, 2021, online ahead of print), a deficiency of skills needed to diagnose and manage pediatric patients with skin of colour may ultimately contribute to health disparities and should be corrected by incorporating focused training on this subject in medical schools and during dermatology residency.
The survey was designed and distributed to members of the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance Special Interest Group in Pediatric Skin of Color (PSOCG). The group had earlier developed a potential curriculum of topics designed to improve the quality of physician education related to pediatric skin of colour patients. These topics were ranked in the survey in three groupings that included infantile, pediatric and adolescent skin conditions. Overall, the final survey results indicated that inflammatory issues, genetic problems, and primary pigmentary disorders were the top three areas members felt should be emphasized in pediatric skin of colour training.
The PSOCG noted that objectives of improved training in issues related to pediatric skin of colour patients should include improved diagnosis, treatment, and development of the ability of physicians to more effectively educate patients and their families.