A transformative moment in dermatology
Panelists sound off on the AI revolution and other practice management pearls.
P006 – Innovative Practice Management Pearls in Dermatology
1-3 p.m. | Friday, July 17
Rendezvous Trianon
The field of dermatology and medicine is undergoing a rapid transformation. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape — particularly in dermatology practices — bringing both groundbreaking efficiencies and new challenges. That’s according to Keyvan Nouri, MD, MBA, FAAD, a professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida.
Dr. Nouri will lead panelists who will share insights and strategies for managing practices of various dermatology specialties and settings during the July 17 session, P006 – Innovative Practice Management Pearls in Dermatology.
“With the advent of AI, it will change how we practice medicine,” Dr. Nouri said. “It’s going to impact the way we see patients and the types of questions we get from patients because they have access to a lot of information right now. It may impact the quality of images as well as diagnostic tools.”
Operational efficiency and practice management
Keyvan Nouri, MD, MBA, FAAD
“These innovations can significantly improve efficiency,” Dr. Nouri said, noting that such tools could help practices reduce wait times and deliver a smoother patient experience.
However, he cautioned that these advancements come with trade-offs. Increased automation could reduce the need for certain administrative roles, raising concerns about job displacement within the healthcare workforce.
A range of implications
The influence of AI is expected to extend across dermatology settings and specialties, including cosmetic, medical, pediatric, and surgical, Dr. Nouri said. Although surgical applications remain limited — particularly in procedures requiring human precision — Dr. Nouri is encouraged that AI may still play a supporting role in patient follow-up and treatment planning. In pediatric dermatology, technology may also contribute to improving patient comfort, he said.
“For example, immersive digital tools could help distract children during procedures, enhancing their overall experience,” Dr. Nouri said.
Panelists will present pearls on featured topics, including:
- Teledermatology: George Han, MD, PhD, FAAD, will provide updates on digital tools and address competition for the direct-to-consumer space, as it affects how patients may find dermatologists and treatments, eventually changing the expectations of consumers and patients alike.
- Solo practice: Natalie M. Curcio, MD, MPH, MMHC, FAAD, will present five essential pearls for creating a financially resilient dermatology practice: choosing the right business model, building a trusted brand, developing a sustainable business strategy, effectively marketing to patients, and maximizing profitability. She will also provide actionable insights to physicians at all career stages to strengthen competitive advantage, enhance patient loyalty, and achieve long-term success.
- Dermatopathology: Alina G. Bridges, DO, FAAD, will evaluate the convergence of digital pathology, AI, lean laboratory operations, molecular diagnostics, and practice business strategy as it relates to dermatopathology. She will also discuss matters from whole-slide imaging implementation to IHC utilization benchmarks, offering practical, data-driven pearls that equip dermatologists in making deliberate decisions about the future of their practices.
- Pediatric dermatology: Fernanda Bellodi Schmidt, MD, will discuss creative solutions for expanding access to care, enhancing the patient and family experience, and addressing the practical challenges encountered every day in practices dedicated to pediatric dermatology as well as to general dermatologists who care for pediatric patients as part of their broader practice.
- Medical dermatology: Amy J. McMichael, MD, FAAD, will discuss aspects of leadership in academic dermatology, such as overseeing a residency program, maintaining medical center connections, managing intradepartmental connections with dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery as well as extra-departmental connections for research and clinical expertise. She will also address the importance of hiring and retention, faculty communication and engagement, and ways to grow the department while keeping an open culture and a solid footing.
- AI applications: Faranak Kamangar, MD, FAAD, will discuss the evolving AI landscape — from the promise and pitfalls of image-based diagnostic AI to the transformative potential of large language models and agentic AI in everyday practice. She will use her first-hand experience in building AI tools for dermatologists to offer practical, evidence-based pearls on how to critically evaluate AI outputs, optimize prompting for clinical workflows, and navigate the fine line between AI confidence and AI accuracy.
Wisdom and insight
Although the session will explore beyond the influence of AI and technology, Dr. Nouri underscored the importance of developing “technological literacy” among dermatologists. This will be essential, he said, when hiring and managing IT professionals in the practice.
For solo practitioners, the decision to adopt and manage new technologies can be especially challenging. Although handling these responsibilities independently is possible, Dr. Nouri said, doing so effectively may require taking on what amounts to “another full-time job.”
In addition to embracing innovation, Dr. Nouri outlined several pearls for building a successful dermatology practice in an increasingly competitive environment. These include:
- Negotiating favorable contracts with insurance providers
- Investing in strong marketing efforts, particularly social media
- Choosing practice locations with high patient demand
He also stressed the importance of creating a welcoming and efficient clinical environment, especially for cosmetic dermatology patients, where experience and presentation play a critical role.
“By the end of the session, I am hopeful that everyone will come away with clinical pearls they can employ in their practice setting to ensure clinical efficiency and enhance patient experiences,” Dr. Nouri said. “It’s also a good time to immerse yourself in the AAD. The summer Innovation Academy is a wonderful place to learn about resources for all members and attendees.”
In addition to the speakers mentioned above, the panel includes Martha Laurin Council, MD, MA, MBA, FAAD, who will discuss pearls for running a successful surgical dermatology practice.
