Unity in dermatology starts with putting patients first
Unity of the specialty, an AAD strategic goal challenging all dermatologists to work together as one voice impacting all of dermatology, can only be achieved when patients are at the center. Seemal R. Desai, MD, the youngest dermatologist to ever be elected to the AAD Board of Directors, highlights the strides the Academy is making to meet the diverse needs of dermatologists. Also shedding light on mentorship, Dr. Desai uncovers how unity among dermatologists from varying practice types and demographics protects the specialty in this Dermatology World Weekly interview.
DWW: Why is it important for dermatology that one group serves as a unifying force?
Dr. Desai: The Academy serves a very diverse membership. Members represent various practice styles, are at different levels in their career, are categorized as “young physicians” or “seasoned-level dermatologists,” etc. Members can identify with many groups — all of which are supported by the Academy — and still make a collective difference.
I like to think that the AAD is the “mothership” of the amazing groups that make up the Academy’s membership. Here’s what I mean by that. The AAD is the one, core unifying group we need to help the specialty remain united in our messaging and in our efforts. This is especially important because compared to other specialties, dermatology is very small in the house of medicine. As the AAD leads the charge as a unifying force, members will see a positive impact on physician effectiveness and patient care. Ultimately, being champions with one voice and one agenda enables dermatologists to take good care of our patients. If we’re taking care of our patients, we’re taking good care of ourselves.
DWW: What are some of the issues or emerging trends that make it important for dermatologists to work together as champions, influencers, and ambassadors on issues impacting dermatology?
Dr. Desai: From issues like regulatory threats to our ability to prepare medications like buffered lidocaine in our offices, to continuous challenges in payment and reimbursement as evidenced by our recent battle with the modifier 25 issue, dermatologists are catching heat at every turn. But that’s what the AAD is here for. As an ambassador for such a small, but mighty specialty, it’s crucial to have a collective and unified voice, especially at the advocacy level, where change takes place.
DWW: Dermatology covers multiple tracks — from cosmetics to surgery to oncology. How does the Academy serve the multitude of interests?
Dr. Desai: Dermatologists are surgical, cosmetic, and medical physician experts. About a decade ago, dermatology largely comprised dermatologists in solo practice. A lot has changed since then, and the Academy is respectful of that. It’s important for members to realize that the AAD really works hard to be a nimble organization, responding to their unique needs in innovative, engaging ways. Whether members access our educational content for professional development or find relief from administrative burdens by using resources available in the Practice Management Center, there is something that benefits all members no matter where they practice, how they practice, or how long they’ve been practicing.
The AAD 2019 Strategic Plan is helping the Academy move toward being a more inclusive organization. It was designed to make sure the Academy offers the most relevant and influential tools to help dermatologists — at all stages of career — be leaders in providing superior and compassionate patient care.
Another way the Academy serves its robust membership is by being heavily engaged with state societies. This promotes unity among the specialty and alongside members at the grassroots level who are active in their state dermatologic or state medical societies.
DWW: Today, dermatologists practice in large group settings, in academia, in multispecialty entities, etc. It’s now more important than ever that we make sure our members know that we’re an organization supporting them no matter what their practice style is. What is it that unifies dermatologists regardless of their practice type?
Dr. Desai: The most important thing that unifies us is that board-certified dermatologists are the only true specialists in hair, skin, and nail diseases. We know that many chronic, internal medical conditions show up on the skin. As board-certified dermatologists, we have the skill, expertise, and unique training to work collaboratively with other specialty physicians to help patients identify internal diseases that could be showing signs on their skin. This saves lives and is a strong example of putting patients first. There are also numerous other examples of our critical role in health care.
DWW: What are the key messages that dermatologists — no matter what specialty track or practice environment they’re in — should be sharing to enhance the perception of dermatology and ensure a unified message to the public?
Dr. Desai: We need to educate the public that we, as board-certified dermatologists, save lives. We’re not simply “one dimensional.” We diagnose and treat skin cancer and rare, life-threatening skin diseases. Sometimes, I think the public and other physicians forget that.
We need to continue to emphasize the meaning of board-certified dermatologists. The Academy’s “Why see a board-certified dermatologist” campaign educates the public on the importance of our specialty and the work, expertise, and intense training dermatologists endure to do what we do on a day-to-day basis.
As board-certified dermatologists, we know there’s a vast difference between us and non-physician clinicians. The Academy is doing a great job at advocating on the state level to ensure that dermatologists are the leaders overseeing non-physician clinicians. These state-to-state scope of practice issues threaten the specialty and impede patient care. However, in practices where board-certified dermatologists oversee non-physician clinicians, they’re able to increase access and provide good, compassionate care for our patients. These are the messages we need to tout with a unified voice.
DWW: How do demographics play into unity? How can the Academy bring members representing different demographics together to improve the practice and patient care now and in the future?
Dr. Desai: We need to focus on training more diverse dermatologists from more ethnic and diverse backgrounds. The strategic plan focuses on this very pivotal element and in this series, Valerie Callender, MD, also on the AAD Board of Directors, discusses the goal’s impact on patient care. Increasing diversity efforts in the dermatology workforce is a step in the right direction to better understand skin, hair, and nail diseases in different ethnicities.
Mentorship is a huge key to unifying dermatologists who are generationally separated. Mentorship should serve as a guide for seasoned dermatologists to encourage younger colleagues to get involved with the Academy at an early stage in their career. For some reason, there’s a myth that you can’t be a leader in the AAD until you’re well into your career. I’m living proof that that’s not true. I’m an example of the Academy embracing young leaders.
Without strong leadership from the younger generations and from those already in their mid-career, dermatology may not exist in 30 years. To protect the specialty, we need to mentor young professionals and be open and receptive to their ideas that inspire innovative changes.
Learn more about the AAD 2019 Strategic Plan.
