The only constant is change
From the President
Dr. Olbricht served as Academy president from March 2018 to March 2019.
By Suzanne Olbricht, MD, March 1, 2018
I am delighted to take the reins as President of your Academy after such a productive Annual Meeting. Thank you, Dr. Henry Lim for your leadership and guidance as President last term. I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. I spoke with many of you in San Diego. I heard about the exciting research you have in the works, the opportunities you are creating in your careers, and the challenges you experience on a day-to-day basis.
Change surrounds us, in science, in technology, in culture, as well as in medicine. While new knowledge and new treatments that we can use for the good of our patients are very welcome, other changes in medicine are disconcerting and even painful. Our challenges include difficulties in getting our patients treated with appropriate medications and procedures, the shift to value-based payment models, private equity entrance into the practice of medicine, and excessive administrative requirements. Many of these changes represent a loss of control for us as physicians, and increase the level of burnout we feel. However, while the changes may be hard to stomach they will likely not cease. As Heraclitus said centuries ago, the only thing that is constant is change. We must accept that change happens, but it is incumbent upon us to be strategic, proactive, and adaptive to keep our profession and specialty strong.
This month’s issue of Dermatology World includes a feature article about embracing change and I hope that you will read it as it offers perspective as well as suggestions on how to manage the seismic shifts in medicine. Rest assured, however, that as you are facing these changes you are not facing them alone. The Academy offers a host of tools, resources, and opportunities that you can utilize to help you traverse the shifting tides.
For example, many of us are angered by policies that have been implemented that are taking precious time away from our patients. From increasing prior-authorization requirements to reporting requirements through the Quality Payment Program’s Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), we often find ourselves spending more time at our desks instead of with our patients. Fortunately, the Academy has developed the Practice Management Center, which provides tools such as a prior-authorization letter generator and MIPS compliance resources. I encourage everyone to spend some time perusing the website at staging.aad.org/practicecenter. There is a tool or resource available to help with almost any practice headache.
In addition to the challenges inside our offices, we face strong outside forces that are changing the way we practice. Restrictive compounding regulations and increasingly detrimental private payer policies are hindering patient access to quality dermatologic care. We have also been battling inappropriate scope of practice expansions that threaten patient safety. We must come together as a specialty and advocate on behalf of our patients. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. or your state capitol to campaign for good policy. The Academy has developed a robust Advocacy Action Center at https://takeaction.aad.org where you can send a quick message to your member of Congress on issues that are important to you and your patients. We as constituents have a powerful influence on legislators’ actions. Let’s make our voices heard and get involved in advocacy.
And speaking of facing change by being strategic, the Academy will be undergoing a formal process of evaluation, focusing on how to move forward with strength as we seek to serve the needs of our members and our patients. Data will be essential and your help in obtaining accurate information is paramount.
While the Academy can help us navigate our evolving environment, an important part of embracing change involves remembering the reason we became physicians. We cannot forget that our patients are our number one priority and the care that we provide them is our ultimate purpose. I look forward to facing change and its opportunities and challenges head on this year and I hope you will join me. Our patients are depending on us.
