Lupus Hub

Definition

a list of 11 criteria (symptoms and laboratory test results) which must check 4 out of the 11 to detect lupus

General Details of Digital Diagnostic Approaches

Digital diagnostics in healthcare is a blossoming area that covers a wide variety of diagnostic tests and analysis that continues to expand in new ways. In fact, digital diagnostics can include blood tests, biopsies, imaging, genetic testing, and remote monitoring of vital signs and organ function. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to process and analyze digital diagnostic testing, which generates multiple benefits of reducing the percentage of errors in test results, decreasing some tedious test interpretation tasks, and increasing face-to-face time for patients with their healthcare professionals. In addition, expanding the use of digital diagnostics can help create more equitable care for marginalized patients both in the U.S. and around the world.

Disparities of Digital Diagnostic Approaches

Some medical research studies have analyzed the link between diagnostic errors and health care disparities. One example of these studies includes increased likelihood of misdiagnosis using genetic testing with patient diagnostic tools that were created with less diverse patient populations. Another example includes a research study that concluded that Black patients were more likely to be underdiagnosed with depression compared to their white counterparts in cases when they visited their primary care clinics for mental health concerns.

Why This Matters

Diagnostic errors that lead to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of patient conditions may lead to reduced quality of life and even higher death rates for some conditions. Standardized digital diagnostic approaches can be a powerful tool in moving toward equitable medical diagnostic testing and care for all. As diagnostic data for all patient populations becomes more readily available, analysis and, in turn, patient diagnosis and care will become more refined for improved care no matter patient gender, geographic location, socioeconomic status, or racial or ethnic background. A wide range of medical conditions can benefit from more timely and accurate diagnosis including conditions such as lung cancer, breast cancer, genetic abnormalities discovered during prenatal care, and heart defects and conditions.

Call to Action

Digital diagnostic approaches are essential for moving toward equitable care for all patients. Any patient advocates who want to advocate for improved care can write to their congresspeople to support standardized diagnostic testing for all. During your next visit to your healthcare professional, ask them how digital diagnostics are assisting them in patient care.

Brooke Whitaker, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)cm is a doctor of clinical laboratory science. You can find her on Twitter: @BrookeW74021416.

General Details of Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is used to examine an abnormal area of the skin. A healthcare professional may order or take a skin biopsy to check for different types of skin cancer, lupus, skin conditions, and other health conditions. Skin biopsy most often involves the use of a needle to remove a tiny sample of skin. Skin cells may be lightly scraped from the surface of the skin, or a small section of tissue may be taken during a surgical procedure.

Disparities of Skin Biopsy

Most notably, Black and Latino/Latinx men have been most impacted by diagnostic biases and disparities in skin biopsies. It’s important for patients from all races and ethnicities to receive skin biopsies in order to have accurate testing for all. As shocking as it may sound to some, the appearance or location of some types of skin cancer are often different in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) or skin of color patients. For example, basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer may occur on the lower legs or feet or in genital or perianal skin in BIPOC patients. Some other skin cancers may occur on scars or wounds, some may appear to be purple or blue in color, or some have more of a scar-like appearance.

Why This Matters

In addition to differences in skin cancer appearance and location in skin of color patients, recent medical research studies show that diagnostic biases exist by dermatologists for skin of color patients. These biases lead to inaccuracies in diagnosis and lower rates of skin biopsy, which lead to missed or delayed diagnosis of skin cancer and other skin conditions. In turn, these missed or delayed diagnoses for skin of color patients lead to disparities in health outcomes and mortality rates. Dermatologic care disparities and inferior care for Black patients compared to white patients has been well-documented in research studies and medical data. One study about disparities showed the most notable failings for skin of color patients occurred for squamous cell carcinoma, urticaria, and atopic dermatitis diagnoses.

Call to Action

To improve self-empowerment and health outcomes, skin of color patients can learn about key differences in appearance and location of some skin cancers. They can also share this knowledge with other skin of color patients to help raise awareness about these vital differences. If you have an area or your skin that looks concerning, make sure to advocate for yourself and to ask questions about a skin biopsy. Looking to the future, as artificial intelligence (AI) starts to be used more often in diagnostic testing, health and technology experts are hopeful that the evaluation of skin biopsies should become more accurate for skin of color patients.

Brooke Whitaker, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)cm is a doctor of clinical laboratory science. You can find her on Twitter: @BrookeW74021416.