The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences announced that it will collaborate with Pfizer Global Medical Grants to expand access to care for patients with inflammatory dermatosis, atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory dermatologic conditions in underserved communities across the United States. The grant program is an expansion of a current program run by the university, which focuses on residential neighborhoods in Ward 7 and 8 in Washington, DC, that have limited access to dermatologic care. According to a patient satisfaction survey conducted by George Washington University as part of its pilot program, investigators found that 70% of respondents did not have a dermatologist; 93.4% were extremely satisfied with the care they received at the clinic; 90.1% reported that their telehealth visits positively impacted the management of their atopic dermatitis; and 100% reported that they thought it was important for the clinics to continue. The new program will enter patients into the university’s medical records system, teach them how to utilize telemedicine with their device in real time, educate them about atopic dermatitis, and provide a free telehealth visit with a George Washington University dermatology resident. Organizations that specialize in the treatment of patients with inflammatory dermatologic conditions were encouraged to apply for the grant, along with health-care institutions, professional associations and medical societies, medical education companies, and any other organizations related to health-care professional education or health-care improvement. The program is expected to begin in January 2024 and run through July 2025, and the maximum project length is 18 months. To learn more about the program, funding, and proposal applications, individuals can visit cdn.pfizer.com. Applications must be submitted by August 24, 2023.
July 13, 2023