E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
SHANNA BYNES BRADFORD
GROW OUT OILS CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY COMPANY
3. New patients can upload and complete all digital forms and medical insurance within the app or patient portal.
Patient challenges:
Dermatology has evolved into a space that has interface with digital software to give patients and dermatology providers more flexibility by allowing patients to access appointments scheduling, upload personal information via patient dashboard and being able to recommend products for pre and post care treatment.
Technology such as:
• Teledermatology enables patients to consult with dermatologists remotely via video calls. It’ s ideal for followups, non-urgent consultations and reviewing prescriptions.
• Dermatology mobile apps help patients track symptoms, monitor skin conditions, and receive personalised feedback. Some use AI to assess images and guide treatment.
• Electronic Medical Records( EMRs) provide access to a patient’ s medical history, prescriptions, lab results, and support coordinated care.
• Patient digital education offers videos, interactive tools and other resources to help patients understand their conditions and treatment options, encouraging active involvement in their care.
Digital technologies have been vital with making patients feel more connected by accessing detailed protocol plan for their pre and post care treatment, as well as providing additional post-op information for invasive and non-invasive procedures that are offered by the dermatology practice.
Here is a breakdown of patient and provider benefits and challenges.
Patient benefits:
1. Patients can access their files quickly via the practice portal or using the mobile app.
2. Patients view the physician’ s work schedule, treatment options, booking times and follow-up appointments.
1. Not all patients may be comfortable with using digital tools or apps.
2. Patients may be concerned about the privacy and security of their personal health information being shared on a digital platform.
3. Some skin assessments may need to be completed in person rather than using remote consultation for skin examination.
Provider benefits:
1. Providers are able to schedule and confirm patient appointments quickly to reduce workflow and manage patient load by implementing digital technology.
2. Providers can provide patients with better communication and engagement for accessing additional information on their procedure, pricing, post-care treatment plan and skincare products recommendations.
3. Providers have access to valuable information such as procedure and treatment outcomes, electronic medical records, analytics and data insights.
Provider challenges:
1. Providers experiencing issues trying to navigate the telemedicine technology process and be in compliance with state regulations with patient privacy and HIPAA laws.
2. Continuous updates and training for staff users and service providers for electronic medical records, telemedicine and patient privacy.
3. Patient reimbursement issues due to not all patient insurance cover digital health services, telemedicine or tele-dermatology, which can have a negative impact on the providers incentive and the patient access.
As technology advances, so will the need to implement and improve processes within the healthcare system so that patients can continue to grow with the practice. It’ s going to be interesting to see what the next 10 – 12 years will look like in the dermatology sector for advanced skincare.
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