Integrating Dermatologists Into Medical Teams Can Improve Patient Outcomes: Hadar Avihai Lev-Tov, MD

Hadar Avihai Lev-Tov, MD, associate professor of clinical dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami Health System, highlighted the significant benefits of collaboration between dermatologists and other medical specialists. He emphasized that the skin often reveals underlying internal diseases, making dermatologists key partners for many fields, including mental health, surgery, and general medicine.

Lev-Tov strongly advocated for adding a dermatologist to an existing team of providers, whether in a private practice or a large group. He believes this integration is not only a good business decision that can increase revenue but, more importantly, it allows for a "one-stop shop" for comprehensive patient care.

Lev-Tov argued that dermatologists bring a unique perspective that can help teams deliver better care. He encouraged specialists to proactively seek out these collaborations to improve patient outcomes and create a more holistic approach to health care.

This transcript was lightly edited; captions were auto-generated.

Transcript

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for collaboration between dermatologists and other specialists to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall health care costs?

There are a ton of opportunities for collaborations because dermatologists see the skin and the skin, many times, is a manifestation of disease that is internal. We have collaborations across the board with all fields of medicine, surgery, even mental health as well. I think that if I were a specialist and I wanted to engage with a dermatologist, what I would consider is, are there dermatologists around my area, that have certain interests? Then, we can build a collaboration.

I think if you are a private practitioner or even a large group, you should add a dermatologist to your existing set of providers. I think having a dermatologist as part of the team is key to your success. It's going to increase revenue but really more importantly, it's going to bring this comprehensive care that we all want to give to our patients at a one-stop-shop for them to get care. Then, once you bring dermatologists, by and large, who are really smart people, they can help you think better about how you deliver that care.

All in all, I'd say you want to increase that collaboration. Dermatologists are out there taking care of diseases that may relate to other specialties, so bring them together into your "home".