Physician-Industry Collaboration: Organizational Considerations for the Future of Innovation and Growth in Dermatology

The U.S. medical environment continues to evolve with issues from Privacy to EMR, Insurance regulations, Physician Access and Healthcare Reform, and MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) on the discussion table. Not since the advent of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid 1960’s, have we seen such widespread changes in the medical healthcare environment (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). Physicians, industry, patients and consumers are affected by the changes. These four groups have historically worked as separate entities, but are now key stakeholders in the future of dermatology. As stakeholders collaborating in building a future together, the dermatologists/physicians will help to ensure and preserve the quality of patient care and best patient outcomes. In 2 Executive Forum meetings February 21-23, 2014 and June 3-4, 2016 the leaders from the Women’s Dermatologic Society and Industry, explored several important areas, six of which will be reviewed in this article 1) A five-year outlook of Dermatology and Medicine; 2) The New Practice Environment; 3) Access of Industry to Dermatologists and Trainees; 4) Doing Things Differently; and 5) Female Leadership 6) Unmet Needs. The collaborative group explored solutions for our specialty and the patients we serve.