Long wait times for dermatologists are a widespread issue, exacerbated by specialist shortages and system limitations.
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Long waiting lists for dermatologists are a problem not only in Lithuania but also internationally. A reader reported waiting since June 2024 at Vilnius University Hospital’s Santaros Clinics, with wait times increasing from 864th to 1793rd on the list. While an alternative clinic offered quicker initial assessment, the patient was advised to return to Santaros Clinics for a biopsy, leading her to seek private care instead. Experts explain that waiting times depend on whether a patient has a referral; those self-referring face potentially two-year waits, while referred patients wait about six months. Patients with diagnosed skin cancer receive expedited care (1–3 weeks). The shortage is attributed to the specialized nature of dermatology and the inability of the state sector to compete with private sector salaries for dermatologists. To improve access, teledermatology services are planned to start in Lithuania in spring 2026. While some regional differences exist, international comparisons show similar long waiting times in countries like the UK and Belgium.
