Providing consistent quality care requires due diligence.
From the President
Dr. Olbricht served as Academy president from March 2018 to March 2019.
By Suzanne Olbricht, MD, July 2, 2018
Sometimes the news makes me cringe, especially reports about a physician or their non-physician providers making questionable treatment decisions. Even though the stories are usually about outlier behavior, it is worthwhile for all of us to regularly and consistently look at our own treatment choices and confirm that we are providing the highest quality of care for our patients. Fortunately, your Academy has developed a number of resources that can help inform your care decisions.
The Academy joined the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation’s Choosing Wisely® campaign in 2013 to advance a national dialogue on the necessity of medical tests, procedures, and treatments, and, in some instances, their potential to cause harm. As part of the campaign, the Academy’s Choosing Wisely Work Group developed 10 evidence-based recommendations that physicians and patients should consider prior to making decisions about their individual course of care. These include Don’t prescribe oral antifungal therapy for suspected nail fungus without confirmation of fungal infection,’ and Don’t perform sentinel lymph node biopsy, or other diagnostic tests for the evaluation of early, thin melanoma because they do not improve survival.’ The recommendations were reviewed and approved by the Academy’s Council on Science and Research and the Academy’s Board of Directors, and each is backed by strong research. The Academy re-examines the recommendations and the evidence supporting them on an annual basis to ensure their continued accuracy.
In addition to participating in Choosing Wisely, the Academy has developed evidence-based guidelines of care for dermatologic conditions, such as nonmelanoma skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, melanoma, and atopic dermatitis, as well as guidelines on office-based surgery. Check out these guidelines at staging.aad.org/guidelines. The Academy has also developed appropriate use criteria for Mohs surgery at staging.aad.org/practicecenter/quality/appropriate-use-criteria. There is truly no shortage of resources to help guide you in making the best clinical decisions for your patients.
I am proud to be a part of this specialty because I know that as dermatologists we are committed to caring for our patients with integrity and professionalism. We are well-trained and uniquely qualified to provide high-quality care to patients with complex conditions. However, the resources and tools that your Academy has developed can help ensure that we are consistently making the best care decisions per the latest evidence-based research.
