How AI Tools Are Transforming the Work of Practicing Dermatologists

Dermatologists wear many hats: clinician, researcher, educator, and often, practice manager. Balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, especially in a field as fast-paced and visually demanding as dermatology. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools offers new ways to streamline workflows, enhance patient care, and advance research.

Enhancing Clinical Practice

In the clinic, one of the most time-intensive tasks is diagnosing complex skin conditions. While dermatologists are highly skilled at identifying a wide range of pathologies, tools powered by AI—such as dermoscopic analyzers or chat-based assistants like ChatGPT and Claude—can provide additional support. These tools excel at synthesizing data and presenting differential diagnoses based on symptom descriptions or uploaded images. While they don’t replace clinical expertise, they act as a second set of eyes, especially for challenging or rare cases.

Documentation, another key aspect of clinical practice, is a known source of burnout among physicians. AI scribes like Abridge are changing the game by transcribing patient interactions in real time and summarizing key points for electronic health records (EHRs). This not only saves time but also ensures accuracy and completeness in patient documentation. Additionally, patient education—critical for improving adherence to treatments—can be enhanced using tools like ChatGPT to generate condition-specific, easy-to-understand materials.

Dermatologists also face the challenge of monitoring chronic conditions such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. AI-powered telemedicine platforms now enable remote monitoring by analyzing patient-uploaded images to track changes in lesions over time. This allows dermatologists to intervene earlier if a condition worsens, improving outcomes while reducing the need for frequent in-person visits.

Supporting Research Endeavors

AI tools provide significant advantages for staying current with the latest scientific literature, which can be a daunting task given the volume of new publications. Tools like Perplexity and ClinicalKey efficiently summarize research articles based on a provided question, helping dermatologists identify trends and prioritize relevant studies. OpenEvidence takes this a step further by evaluating the quality of studies, ensuring that clinical decisions and research are based on the most reliable evidence.

Data analysis, a cornerstone of research, becomes more accessible with tools like ChatGPT. This platform can assist in organizing datasets, identifying patterns, and even drafting preliminary reports. It simplifies the process of drawing actionable conclusions from large volumes of patient data, making it an invaluable resource for both clinical and academic dermatologists.

Writing grant proposals and preparing manuscripts are often arduous tasks, but tools like Claude and ChatGPT can lighten the load. They provide structured templates, improve clarity, and assist with editing, allowing dermatologists to focus on the substance of their work rather than the mechanics of writing.

Optimizing Practice Management

Running a dermatology practice involves more than patient care—it includes managing schedules, optimizing workflows, and overseeing finances. AI-powered medical scribes like Abridge, Nuance’s DAX Copilot, and others assist in documentation by transcribing and summarizing patient encounters, reducing administrative burdens and allowing dermatologists to focus more on patient interaction and care.

In today’s digital age, maintaining a robust online presence is crucial for attracting and retaining patients. AI tools can assist in creating engaging content for blogs, newsletters, and social media, helping dermatologists build their brand and connect with a broader audience.

A Word of Caution: Ensuring Accuracy

While AI tools offer immense potential, it’s essential to approach them critically. Models like ChatGPT and Claude, while powerful, can occasionally generate incorrect or fabricated information, a phenomenon known as “hallucination.” To mitigate this, techniques like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) can be employed. RAG ensures that the AI’s outputs are grounded in external, up-to-date sources, such as medical databases or published research, reducing the likelihood of errors.

The Future of Dermatology with AI

Now is a pivotal time for dermatologists to embrace AI technologies. These tools not only alleviate many of the time-consuming aspects of clinical practice and research but also open new avenues for innovation and efficiency. By integrating AI into their daily routines and critically evaluating its outputs, dermatologists can enhance their practice, advance their research, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. In doing so, they position themselves at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field, ready to meet the challenges of modern medicine head-on.