“As specialists trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the skin, hair and nails in pediatric, adult and geriatric populations, Dermatologists serve a vital role in modern health care,” says John G. Albertini, MD, FAAD, FACMS, of The Skin Surgery Center. “If eyes are the window to the soul, the skin is often a window to one’s health, since so many medical conditions can be identified by their dermatologic manifestations. And with the rising incidence of skin cancer, Dermatologists and Mohs surgeons provide outpatient, cost-effective and patient-centric treatments that minimize scars and maximize cure rates.”
Dermatologists are trained to treat the 3,000 conditions that fall under the umbrella of the specialty. However, there has been a trend in entertainment and the media to portray Dermatologists as merely glorified cosmetologists, and such popular YouTube sites as ‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ reinforce these stereotypes.
To help correct this misconception, the AAD is working to educate patients, other clinicians, and health insurance companies about the importance of Dermatology. As part of its SkinSerious campaign, the organization has produced an excellent video which highlights the importance of Dermatologists and how this specialty can help improve the health of patients.
Watch the video here.