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The Pharmacist Advantage: Bridging Gaps in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Care

Panelists discuss the vital role of multidisciplinary collaboration, provider education, and technology integration in improving early diagnosis and comprehensive management of hidradenitis suppurativa, highlighting how coordinated efforts across specialties—including pharmacists—can reduce delays, enhance equity, and optimize patient outcomes.

Multidisciplinary collaboration plays a critical role in both the early diagnosis and optimal management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Given that patients present across various care settings—from primary care and adolescent medicine to emergency departments and wound care clinics—it's essential for all providers within this spectrum to be aware of HS’s clinical presentation. Surgeons, dermatologists, gynecologists, mental health professionals, and social workers also encounter these patients, making education across all specialties vital. While educating every discipline may seem daunting, efforts can begin small—through awareness campaigns and continuing education—and grow to include broader implementation of clinical tools and validated screening questionnaires that help prompt early detection across diverse clinical environments.

Leveraging technology and clinical decision support systems can significantly enhance the recognition and management of HS. Embedding screening tools into electronic medical records, using validated diagnostic questions, and implementing AI-based alerts can flag at-risk patients—especially those with recurrent abscesses or frequent antibiotic use. This kind of integration not only streamlines early detection but also promotes health equity by ensuring that screening capabilities are available in both large academic centers and smaller, resource-limited clinics. Through standardized tools and pathways, even providers without HS expertise can apply best practices to identify and refer patients efficiently, reducing diagnostic delays and improving outcomes.

Pharmacists—particularly clinical and community pharmacists—are uniquely positioned to bridge existing care gaps. Embedded clinical pharmacists in specialty clinics can help identify patients with recurring antibiotic prescriptions or frequent infections that suggest HS. Their role also includes guiding appropriate treatment selection, considering a patient's comorbidities and insurance coverage, and ensuring timely access to biologics or other advanced therapies. Meanwhile, community pharmacists serve as accessible first points of contact and can refer patients to providers when over-the-counter treatments are ineffective. Together, these multidisciplinary efforts create a more coordinated, patient-centered care model that improves time to diagnosis, treatment personalization, and overall disease control.

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