About This Project

An AI-assisted dermatology tool for refugees, utilizing imaging and symptom questionnaires to improve diagnostic accuracy. Intended to initially empower primary care providers to increase dermatological diagnosis accuracy and eventually at home diagnosis by patients. The initial stages of the project encompassing development, expert input, and a field pilot are projected to run from March through the end of the summer with hopes of new goals and aspirations for growth set at that time.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

In the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, home to approximately 80,000 Syrian refugees, the healthcare challenges are particularly acute. A study revealed that the camp and its surrounding communities are grappling with a significant burden of skin diseases, which are among the highest prevalent medical conditions, yet the access to dermatological care is incredibly scarce, almost non-existent. Conditions such as eczema frequently remain undiagnosed and untreated due to the severe shortage of specialists, who may be available only a handful of times each year, if at all. This gap in care leads to a considerable impact on the refugees' quality of life, with even mild skin conditions escalating into more severe health issues and a constant sentiment of hopelessness amongst the community.

What is the significance of this project?

This project is pivotal, targeting a critical healthcare gap, where skin diseases prevail yet specialist care is scarce. By introducing an AI diagnostic tool, this initiative empowers primary healthcare providers and eventually refugees with the capability to accurately diagnose skin conditions, thereby improving healthcare delivery and outcomes in these settings. It bridges the healthcare divide, ensuring conditions like eczema, can be accurately diagnosed and managed. This innovation not only promises to enhance the health and wellbeing of one of the world's most vulnerable populations but also sets a precedent for applying advanced technology to tackle healthcare challenges in resource-constrained environments, marking a significant step towards equitable healthcare access for refugees.

What are the goals of the project?

The project aims to develop and deploy an AI-assisted diagnostic tool for skin diseases in Zaatari refugee camp, addressing the critical lack of dermatological care. Key goals include: 1) Enhancing the diagnostic accuracy and treatment of skin conditions among refugees, reducing the reliance on scarce dermatological specialists. 2) Empowering primary healthcare providers with advanced tools to improve care quality. 3) Gathering data to better understand the dermatological needs within refugee populations. 4) Demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of AI in improving healthcare access in resource-limited settings. Ultimately, the project seeks to improve health outcomes and quality of life for refugees by making specialized dermatological care more accessible and efficient.