Dermatologist shortage in northern Ont. pushes patients to seek online solutions

Wait times to see a dermatologist can vary from four months to sometimes half a year in Sudbury due to a shortage of specialists.

That has more people turning to online platforms to address their skin concerns.

Dr. Tiffany Parsons, one of two dermatologists operating in Sudbury, said she sees patients coming in from near and far.

"I see people from Timmins, North Bay, Muskoka area. I've had referrals even from Ottawa," Parsons said.

"There's really a lack of dermatologists that are servicing northern Ontario. And unfortunately, the challenge also is being able to access a specialist because sometimes they can't see their family doctor either in a certain time frame."

Dr. Annie Liu is a dermatologist and co-founder of Dermcafe. Covered by OHIP, Dermcafe virtually connects patients to a dermatologist to address a range of skin concerns.

"Things like acne, rosacea, facial rashes, certain types of hair loss, excessive sweating called hyperhidrosis and more," Liu said.

"But we don't care for everything. So if there is a skin cancer concern there, there's no substitute for that. You have to go in person, of course, for the procedure."

While practising in other countries, Liu said she realized there was a lack of access to dermatological services in Canada and a shortage of dermatologists.

Wait times can be years

"Canada has fewer than 700 dermatologists for its 38 million population," she said.

"I'll let that sink in for a minute. Wait times are usually like, at least a year. I know my colleagues in Nova Scotia, like B.C., Saskatchewan. Wait times are over two years to see a dermatologist. That's equivalent to not seeing a dermatologist."

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On average, wait times for Dermcafe are up to two weeks, and Liu said she sees a lot of patients from northern Ontario.

For her clinic, Parsons said the wait time is roughly four to six months, but she has spots available for urgent and semi-urgent patients to be seen within two to four weeks.

"We know in dermatology things like skin cancer and melanoma can't wait," she said.

"And those really do need to be seen faster in terms of the entire north. That's where things have become an issue."

Parsons said individuals should consistently monitor their skin for any changes, and see a specialist — either virtually or in person — if they have any concerns.