Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Delivery of Dermatological Care

Abstract

Purpose of review: We review several important changes affecting dermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020. Specifically, we focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physician trends in employment, delivery of care via teledermatology, and burnout, resilience, and wellness.

Recent findings: More physicians are now employed by corporate entities than prior to the pandemic. Teledermatology can be utilized effectively and integrated into current care models; however, the continued use of teledermatology will largely depend on financial compensation. The COVID-19 pandemic was a source of burnout for all physicians, including dermatologists, and impacted how many people view their work.

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic pushed physicians to change their employment, required them to implement telehealth rapidly, and forced them to re-evaluate their priorities. Prior to the pandemic, more physicians transitioned into employed positions as compared to physician-owned practices. Multiple reasons for consolidation exist, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic for all medical specialties. Similarly, teledermatology was utilized prior to the pandemic, but its use exploded in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to this day. The future of teledermatology though depends primarily on insurance reimbursement for these visits as well as both patient and physician preferences for continued usage. Lastly, wellness became a major focus in medicine as the pandemic took a significant toll on physicians, including dermatologists.

Keywords: Burnout; COVID-19; Delivery of healthcare; Employment; Health workforce; Private practice; Professional practice; Resilience; Stress; Teledermatology; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Wellness; Workforce.