Reflecting on the Growth of NPs and PAs in Dermatology

“This Horizons meeting brought together dermatology NPs and PAs who practice at the highest level, novice level, and with some experience so that we could share our experiences in a very novel way,” Lakshi Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP, FAANP, said in an interview with Dermatology Times at the Horizons in Advanced Practice meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aldredge, a dermatology nurse practitioner at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System in Oregon, shared her reflections on the transformative experience of being a co-chair of the Horizons in Advanced Practice meeting, a conference dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills of dermatology nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

“This meeting has been absolutely a lifelong dream of mine,” Aldredge said. “In my 30 years of practice, we have realized one of the challenges for especially novice NPs and PAs—and even seasoned ones—is to be able to come together in a forum that is able to provide an opportunity to have scholarly-based discussions about challenging dermatology issues that we see every day.”

The Horizons in Advanced Practice meeting offered a unique platform for clinicians of all experience levels to engage in intimate, unbranded discussions. Through case presentations and breakout sessions, attendees exchanged insights, shared best practices, and celebrated successes in patient care.

“One of the best things about this meeting was seeing the illumination in eyes about, ‘I didn’t know I could practice that way. I didn’t know I could order this drug this way,’” Aldredge noted.

Addressing Key Challenges in Dermatology Practice

A major theme of the meeting was tackling barriers to accessing innovative treatments for conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. “We have phenomenal treatments…but how do we get them to our patients?” Aldredge highlighted. Discussions among novice and experienced clinicians brought to light strategies for overcoming these obstacles, including innovative approaches to securing medications for patients.

The forum also emphasized the importance of addressing the disconnect between patients ’perceptions of their disease severity and clinical assessments. “It was lovely to be able to have that discussion about maneuvering patients who feel like, ‘Oh, my disease is not so bad’ but help them recognize the quality-of-life impact it makes and that we’re here to help them and take them to the next level,” Aldredge shared.

The Role of Industry in Supporting Patient Care

Aldredge acknowledged the critical role pharmaceutical and industry partners play in empowering NPs and PAs to deliver high-quality care. “The pharmaceutical industry has been instrumental in enabling NPs and PAs to rise to the level of being frontline providers,” she said. However, she called for greater support in equipping entire dermatology teams—from medical assistants to office staff—with tools to streamline patient education, prior authorizations, and medication access.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With 2024 heralding significant advancements in dermatology, including new treatment approvals, Aldredge expressed optimism for the year ahead. “2025 is going to be an incredible year for dermatology,” she said, envisioning greater emphasis on regional meetings to reach clinicians in rural and medically underserved areas.

Aldredge also highlighted the untapped potential of NPs and PAs contributing written case studies and interviews. “Dermatology Times provides an incredible opportunity to share expertise,” she emphasized, encouraging clinicians to contribute case studies, pearls, or patient experiences to benefit their colleagues.

According to Aldredge, the Horizons in Advanced Practice meeting exemplified the power of collaboration and education in elevating dermatology practice. “We all learn best from each other,” Aldredge concluded.