Dr. Patricia Farris
JDD Senior Associate Editor
Department of Dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Dr. Patricia Farris, a distinguished dermatologist, boasts over 35 years of board-certified experience spanning research, aesthetics, and clinical practice. Currently serving as a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Dr. Farris is affiliated with the Department of Dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. Her most recent article, “Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical 0.1% Stabilized Bioactive Retinol for Photoaging: A Vehicle-Controlled Integrated Analysis” appears in the April 2024 issue of the JDD.
1. What made you decide to become a dermatologist?
When I was in graduate school my area of interest was immunology. Our lab was studying the use of beta glucan as a non-specific immunostimulant for treating cancer using a mouse melanoma model. I became intrigued with the role of the skin’s immune system and how we could leverage it to help fight skin cancer. I considered going into allergy and immunology but when I took an elective in dermatology, I realized it was the perfect specialty to utilize my interest in immunology for patient care.
2. What is one of the most pressing issues in dermatology today?
Access! We still have pockets across the country where access to dermatologic care is sparse and there is also an ongoing problem with getting patients access to the medications they need. Access to care and medications is a priority for the AAD leadership and there have been initiatives by the AAD and AADA to address how we solve these problems. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go and dermatologists are still spending far too much of their time dealing with insurance companies and advocating for their patients.
3. How has technology, such as artificial intelligence or telemedicine, impacted dermatology practice, and what role do you see it playing in the future?
I believe the role of AI in dermatology is emerging and may ultimately affect many aspects of our specialty. AI can be used to assist in diagnosis and treatment, streamlining administrative tasks like prior authorizations, and for educational and research purposes. It can also play a role in aesthetic dermatology, allowing dermatologists to evaluate the skin using AI, follow progress after procedures, and may serve as a useful point of engagement for the patients in the cosmetic process. Of course, after the Covid epidemic, many of us turned to telemedicine to continue caring for our patients. In my opinion, telemedicine is somewhat limited in dermatology in that nothing substitutes for an in-person examination and/or skin cancer screening. Telemedicine is helpful, however, used for filling in some of the gaps we have in access to dermatologic care.
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