A barrier to care: Distance traveled affects adherence to treatment and follow-up plans for patients with infantile hemangioma.

A chart review was performed of all patients diagnosed with infantile hemangioma in the pediatric dermatology clinic to determine whether distance traveled by the patient affected adherence to follow-up and treatment plans. An increase in distance was associated with an increase in likelihood of nonadherence to treatment or follow-up plans. Compared to patients who lived within 10 miles of a pediatric dermatologist, families who lived farther away were less likely to adhere to treatment plans. Families who traveled over 20 miles to clinic were 7.38 times more likely to be nonadherent to the treatment plan than those who traveled 0-10 miles.