Go Inside the Issues

You’re used to reading comments from Chief Medical Editor Neal Bhatia, MD in this space, but have you had a chance lately to watch Dr. Bhatia as he moderates candid discussions of big issues in dermatology on our original series “Derm Insider”? Hosted at DermTube.com, “Derm Insider” has featured some of the best-known voices in dermatology addressing topics like social media pitfalls, relationships with industry, and what makes a key opinion leader.

The latest edition of “Derm Insider” offered a fresh look at a world many may think they know: academic medicine. But as is so often the case, perception is not always reality.

I’ve heard some critics say that academic dermatologists are out of touch with their peers because they don’t deal with the daily headaches that plague those in private practices. It turns out, academicians face, “exactly the same pressures as the private practitioner does,” according to panelist Jane Grant-Kels, MD. She says, for example, she has to monitor RVU reports for her clinical staff on a monthly basis, track overhead, and monitor collections reports.

“We have less power, and we still have all the same pressures and demands of running a practice efficiently,” Dr. Grant-Kels adds.

Implementing EMRs, getting patient access to medicines, paying for administrative services, and even offsetting the revenues of less lucrative specialties in the academic center are other common challenges that face academic dermatologists.

In today’s healthcare environment, no one is immune from the nuts and bolts of the business of “practicing” medicine. As ICD-10 implementation moves forward and the push for EMRs grows, virtually all dermatologists will jointly face challenges. Hopefully, like the latest panelists on Derm Insider, they will also be able to find positive aspects of their daily work to celebrate.

To see the latest edition of Derm Insider or any earlier editions in the series, log on to DermTube.com. If you want to comment on an edition, email editor@bmctoday.com. n