NEW YEAR 2022

As we step into the New Year 2022, Shriyal Sethumadhavan reaches out to some of the leading dermatologists and aesthetic plastic surgeons from India to find answers to changes that they would like to bring about in their practice, clinic management, or approach to patients?

Dr Amit Luthra

Consultant Dermatologist, Ishira Skin Clinic “One change that I would bring about in my practice would be educating the patients and clients about what is right and what is wrong in the sense that they should know that myths in the media and social media are actually myths. Reality needs to be addressed and accepted. I plan to open my third clinic in 2022 and focus a lot on training other doctors.”

Dr Anup Dhir

Plastic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon and Senior Consultant, Apollo Hospitals “As we step into 2022, the biggest change in practice management would be to increase the percentage of online appointments gradually to make the practice more efficient and in line with changing times. The number of video consultations would increase, and we will need to install good quality video systems to increase efficiency. In fact, more changes would be made depending on local demands. The marketing would also change more towards digital marketing.”

Dr Apratim Goel

CEO/Medical Director, Cutis Skin Solution “As we step into 2022, we would like to step up the use of technology in our treatments as well as patient management. Our special focus would be men skin care as there is a lacuna in that sector. Men seek low downtime, instant results treatments and that is what our laser and light-based technologies can offer. We have already launched carbon facial for middle aged men, Adam facial for those who tan easily and teen cleanup for teenage boys. Coupled with targeted customised home care, we aim to focus on men and their varied skin needs.”

Dr Geeta Patel

Dermatologist, Zahra Skin and Laser Clinic “Listen more and assume less. When a physician first meets a patient, he invariably cuts them off as the patient starts to speak. We are always in a rush, see a tonne of patients, and the inclination is to keep up with the time that we have allotted to them. When the patient starts to speak, we need to consciously let them finish. This helps the patient to feel recognised and reveals important insights into the disease. My New Year resolution is to find a way to make my patient smile, say nice words, value each moment, and conversation. The small words and moments can have big impact. Will also help my patients become healthier in general, in relation to diet, sleep and exercise. Every day, month, and year is an opportunity to try again and I will continue to strive to give my best.”

Dr Gulhima Arora

Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Mehektagul Dermaclinic, New Delhi ““I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it” – Maya Angelo. COVID is far from over and has changed many-a-perspective in every field of life. The healthcare system is no exclusion. Many perspectives have helped broaden our outlook towards how we can tweak situations in our fields of work to best suit the circumstances, which was a positive. Although we did get a breather as a respite from the spread and severity of the infection in terms of being able to physically see patients and get back to pre-COVID times, as we step into 2022, the one change that I would like to incorporate in my practice is the continuation of using technology to my advantage and helping patients in remoter areas to get better access to healthcare. Dermatology mostly being a visual specialty, it helps me to continue the trend of virtual consultation and triaging patients. I would like to continue to get reports online and recommend follow-up treatments. The pandemic has taken away a lot but taught us many things. Making an online presence on different social media platforms is a win-win situation for the receiver (patient) as well as giver (doctor). I would like to incorporate this full-time in my practice.”

Dr Jagdish Sakhiya

Director, Sakhiya Skin Clinic, Surat “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change constantly. My rule of thumb is creating an organisational structure that is ready for change and has a culture that looks for ways to improve, promote and supports ways to enhance quality, patient care, and efficiency. We at Sakhiya Skin Clinic have always followed a caring philosophy. Thus the patient-centric approach is considered to be key to high-quality healthcare. In the coming year 2022, we will be benchmarking data that compares our organisation’s performance on key indicators such as patient satisfaction scores that we have undermined. Thereby, every indicator will be carefully assessed and necessary steps would be taken towards enhancing patient care.”

Dr Medha Bhave

Lasercosmesis, Thane, Param Hospital and ICU, Thane “As we step into the New Year 2022, the one change I would bring about in my practice is to provide continuous, proactive online support to every patient. As we have entered the dark tunnel of COVID first, which has mutated to omicron now, my clinic will always follow COVID practices such as use of sanitisation, ultra violet sterilisation, and contactless communication with minimum in person visits for pre and post check-ups. We have created ready check lists for all investigations, pre-operation instructions and post-operation recovery guidelines. We send this communication as soon as the patient decides to go in for a surgery so that they can plan properly. We have added COVID vaccine status in the history taking form. Our helpline is available to solve any queries on phone thus minimising the need to visit in person. We have also added many new technologies and techniques in our repertoire and plan to update irrespective of COVID set-backs.”

Dr Priya Bansal

Consultant Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Rosewalk Healthcare, CK Birla Hospital, Fortis La Femme “There is a lot of taboo surrounding cosmetic surgery in India, and it stops patients from getting the right information for safe procedures. It is important for patients to understand the specific-procedures they are getting and why they are getting them. Also, I firmly believe a cosmetic surgeon should understand the deepest desires of the patient and choose the best technologies to give them the same. We need to create awareness by initiating conversations around the affordability and accessibility of cosmetic procedures in India to enable this. This will be my priority for 2022.”

Dr Rupali A Pavaskar

Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Trichologist, Dr Rupali Pavaskar’s Clinic & Transforme Dermo- Cosmetic Centre, Thane “2020, 2021! Two hell of rocking years! This difficult period has taught me a few important lessons. Life is too unpredictable to postpone the way we want to truly live! I changed my timings to increase my free time for a balanced family life and for all of my hobby related activities. Believe me, it has not affected my income! It is just that I am super busy when I am busy. Second, the world is losing it! We as doctors are their punch bags, go to people, and someone who would probably show them more light. We have an advantage over psychologists. When counselling comes as a part of general chitchat rather than a professional session, it penetrates deeper. I think we owe them this much. Motivating kids for a healthy lifestyle has become a part of pimple management, especially following the lockdown slowdown effect. For a successful practice, it is important to invest time and money in learning, improvising our counselling skills. Udemy is an excellent platform for courses such as cognitive emotive behavioural therapy (CEBT). Like they say, technical skills and academic acumen help us in gaining patients but our emotional intelligence maintains them.”

Dr Sundeep Vijayaraghavan,

Prof of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi “The year 2022 will be dedicated to patient education. The immense possibilities in aesthetic medicine, such as various applications of fat, fillers, toxins and threads would be highlighted. Proportions is a favourite topic of mine and introducing it to the patient and helping in achieving it is what I intend to do.”