The Future of Dermatology

Summary Dr. Farah Kamangar interviews Dr. Whitney Tolpinrud, the Medical Director at Curology, a personalized skincare service. They discuss the journey that led Dr. Tolpinrud to her current position and the inefficiencies of traditional clinical practice. They also explore the founding of Curology and its mission to provide accessible and personalized dermatological care through telemedicine. Dr. Tolpinrud shares her experience as the Medical Director and the various aspects of her role, including product development, marketing, and clinical research. They discuss the future of dermatology, emphasizing the importance of personalized medicine and the integration of technology, such as AI, into medical practice. Takeaways Traditional clinical practice can be inefficient and limit the number of patients that can be seen. Telemedicine offers a more scalable and accessible solution. Curology is a personalized skincare service that provides telemedicine consultations and customized prescription treatments. The company was founded by a dermatologist and focuses on treating conditions like acne through a telemedicine platform. Dr. Tolpinrud serves as the Medical Director at Curology and is involved in product development, marketing, clinical research, and maintaining high medical standards. The future of dermatology involves personalized medicine, utilizing individual bio data and genetics, as well as the integration of technology, such as AI, into medical practice. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background 05:07 - Curology: Personalized Skincare through Telemedicine 11:35 - The Future of Dermatology: Personalized Medicine and Technology

Summary Dr. Tina Bhutani shares her journey to becoming a dermatologist and the challenges she faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of being proactive in interviews and marketing oneself effectively. Dr. Bhutani also discusses the rewards and challenges of working in an academic setting, including the bureaucracy and administrative burdens. She highlights the significance of clinical trials and her interest in studying lifestyle modifications and their impact on skin disease. However, she acknowledges the difficulty of getting funding for these types of studies. In this conversation, she discusses her busy life as a dermatologist and the importance of patient-centered research and accessible clinical trials. Dr. Bhutani and Dr. Fara also talk about Dr. Bhutani's book that she co-authored on the use of biologics in psoriasis treatment. The conversation covers various chapters of the book, including laboratory monitoring, TNF-alpha inhibitors, IL-17 class of biologics, combination therapies, biologic agents for pediatric psoriasis, special site psoriasis, comparing biologic agents, long-term registry data, biologic agents in special populations, and adherence to biologic therapy. Dr. Fara and Dr. Bhutani emphasize the importance of individualizing treatment and having open conversations with patients about their preferences and needs. Takeaways Be proactive in interviews and market yourself effectively Working in an academic setting has rewards and challenges Clinical trials are important for providing access to treatments Studying lifestyle modifications and their impact on skin disease is valuable Obtaining funding for non-traditional studies can be challenging Patient-centered research and accessible clinical trials are important for improving dermatology treatments Dr. Bhutani's book on the use of biologics in psoriasis treatment provides practical guidance and evidence-based recommendations TNF-alpha inhibitors are still valuable in psoriatic arthritis treatment IL-17 class of biologics work quickly and are effective for tough-to-treat areas Combination therapies can be beneficial for patients who have already tried monotherapy Treating special site psoriasis is important for improving quality of life and preventing comorbidities Comparing biologic agents is challenging due to individual patient factors and access issues Long-term registry data provides reassurance about the safety and efficacy of biologic agents Special populations, such as pregnant women and the elderly, require careful consideration in biologic therapy Adherence to biologic therapy is crucial, and treatment should be tailored to individual patient preferences and needs Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:39 Navigating the Challenges of an Academic Setting 29:27 The Value of TNF-alpha Inhibitors in Psoriatic Arthritis 36:04 Comparing Biologic Agents: Challenges and Considerations

Summary In this episode, Dr. Farah Kamangar and Dr. Tina Bhutani discuss the challenges of accessing newer dermatology medications and the importance of proper documentation for prior authorization. They also touch on the use of patient coupons and the requirements set by insurance companies. The conversation highlights the need for clear and thorough notes, including previous treatments and failed therapies. The hosts emphasize the importance of advocating for patients and using all available resources to navigate the access process. They also discuss the potential role of AI in streamlining the prior authorization process. This episode is sponsored by an educational grant from the company Dermavant. Takeaways Accessing newer dermatology medications can be challenging due to the paperwork and prior authorization process. Patient coupons are available for some medications, but the reasons behind their existence are not always clear. Insurance companies often require documentation of previous treatments and failed therapies before approving newer medications. Thorough and clear notes are essential for successful prior authorization, including details of previous treatments and justifications for prescribing specific medications. Advocacy for patients and utilizing available resources can help navigate the access process. AI has the potential to streamline the prior authorization process and reduce the burden on healthcare providers.