As with many specialties, dermatology faces a physician shortage that has implications for patient care. Based on 2013 claim data, the American Academy of Dermatologyย estimatesย that 20,000 clinicians are needed to treat skin diseaseโ€”thatโ€™s nearly twice the number of board-certified dermatologists in the United States.

The causes of physician shortagesโ€”in dermatology and other specialtiesโ€”are myriad, including limited graduate medical education slots and a growing aging population. These shortages can create serious obstacles to patient access to a board-certified dermatologist, especially those living in rural communities, potentially hundreds of miles from the closest dermatologist.