Top Priorities for the AAD: 2022

Dermatologists must continue lending their voice to access issues surrounding the iPLEDGE Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) update that happened on December 13, 2021, because some patients are now going “weeks” without isotrenoin, according to a speaker at the 19th Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference, being held January 14 to 19, in Kauai, Hawaii.¹

Neal Bhatia, MD, FAAD, vice president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD),discussed the iPLEDGE situation during his presentation, echoed a recently issued letter from the academy that suggested some solutions, specifically.

He also discussed the Academy’s top priorities of the year, which include:

• Increasing access to prescription medications;
• Improving access to specialty care and private and public payers;
• Preserving the private practice model, even in the time of consolidation, and; 
• Encouraging members to be “their best advocates.”

“Our biggest [priority] is scope of practice … emphasizing how much training it takes to get to this point and making sure we’re not getting blindsided by people who don’t have our training,” Bhatia said. “We tell people, be your own advocate, use FAAD whenever and wherever possible.”

To advocate for the good work individuals are doing, Bhatia pointed to the Academy’s website and their “Skin Serious” section, which highlights patient and physician stories, specifically, “how board-certified dermatologists assist patients with serious skin diseases to enhance care.”

“We encourage you to share your stories of treating patients during the COIVD-19 pandemic to demonstrate the dedication of dermatologists who are treating serious conditions,” Bhatia said. “Also, participate in our #chooseadermatologist campaign.”

COVID-19 was a pivotal issue for the Academy in the past 2 years, he said, as the Academy rolled our “practical and actionable information to members since the start of the pandemic,” he said, including, but not limited to, “regulatory guidance, practice guidance, and scientific developments.” He explained the Academy continues to share updates with members so that they can keep their patients informed of the latest protocols and keep up to date on teledermatology options.

In addition to continuing to roll out COVID-19 information, Bhatia also said the Academy is focusing in the year ahead, on reestablishing their in-person continuing medical education in the year ahead, with two meetings planned, including the 2022 AAD Annual Meeting, in Boston, Massachusetts from March 25-29, and 2022’s AAD Innovation Academy, planned for July 21-24 in Vancouver, Canada.

Reference

1. Bhatia N. American Academy of Dermatology update. Presented at: 2022 Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference; January 14 to 19, 2022; Kauai, Hawaii.