MedEsthetics magazines offers business education and in-depth coverage of the latest noninvasive cosmetic procedures for physicians and practice managers working in the medical aesthetics industry.
Issue link: https://medesthetics.epubxp.com/i/123304
Preparing for Virtual Consultations Patient Appreciation Patients who are seeking elective cosmetic procedures will gravitate to practices that make them feel special and appreciated. And practices don't need to spend a lot of money to achieve this, says Catherine Maley, founder of Cosmetic Image Marketing (cosmeticimagemarketing.com). She offers the following tips to make your patients feel welcome and valued: • Use their names often • Smile when you see them • Ask questions and listen to their responses • Ask their opinions • Handwrite "Thank you" on their credit card receipts • Escort them to the door when they leave • Call them to see how they're doing • Thank them personally for all referrals New technologies are changing the way doctors interact with patients and not just in terms of diagnostic and treatment tools. Internet-based programs, like Skype, allow physicians to offer video consultations with prospective patients from all over the globe. But, before you add video consults to your practice, there are some steps you need to take to ensure that the consults run smoothly and your patient's privacy is protected. • Meet with your IT team to ensure that all communications are secure and encrypted • Review state regulations through your state medical board governing medical telecommunications • Have a staff member available to help the patient set up and learn to use Skype prior to the appointment • Have the patient fill out a consent form acknowledging she would like to participate in a video consult. The American Telemedicine Association offers a downloadable "Consent To Participate in a Telemedicine Consultation" on its website, americantelemed.org © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM Improve Acne Patient Compliance Patient compliance is a challenge for all medical professionals, especially when dealing with chronic conditions that may require multiple treatment modalities, such as acne. To help patients stay involved and on track with their treatments, Galderma Laboratories has developed the Epiduo TAP (Treatment, Adherence and Performance) Program, an online and mobile patient platform that educates acne patients about the proper application of Epiduo Gel. Patients who are prescribed the gel can register for the TAP Program and begin earning points by interacting with various program elements, such as: reporting daily medication usage, refilling their Epiduo Gel prescription and completing weekly quizzes and surveys. Patients are encouraged to follow their treatment regimen via text message and email reminders. "The Epiduo TAP Program is a welcomed educational program that helps set and manage Epiduo Gel treatment expectations from the onset of treatment," says Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. "More than just an educational program, the Epiduo TAP Program helps dermatologists' patients use their acne treatment correctly, which may lead to increased adherence and improved treatment outcomes…It is exciting to see the use of an internet-based approach to encourage better health outcomes." medestheticsmagazine.com | MAY/JUNE 2013 7