Dermatology and plastic surgery are complementary specialties, and a practice that combines both provides a one-stop-shop experience for cosmetic patients. While there are several positives to a collaboration, there are some key factors to keep in mind if you are considering bringing plastic surgery in-house.
In seeking the edge to make their dermatology practices stand out, some dermatologists pair up with plastic surgeons to market their practices as one-stop shops for aesthetics. It’s not a common combination, but one that may make your practice stand out. Could paring up with a plastic surgeon be the way to grow your dermatology practice? Consider these pros and cons of pairing with a plastic surgeon.
Pros of Pairing with a Plastic Surgeon
1. Keeps referrals (and profits) in-house
Do you find yourself referring your patients to a plastic surgeon for reconstructive care after skin cancer surgery or for cosmetic procedures? Partnering with a plastic surgeon allows you to keep those referrals in-house, maximizing profits for your practice.
R. Gil Altman, MD, FACS, is a plastic surgeon in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, who recently partnered with a dermatologist. “It came about as a result of opening up a med spa and having a built-in referral source,” he says. “I see nearly 100 patients a week and there is so much about the two disciplines that are congruous with one another that I thought it was the perfect fit. I no longer have to refer patients out.”
Jacquiline Habashy, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, Calif., found that working with a plastic surgeon grew her patient volume as she was as able to treat her colleague’s patients who decided that surgery was not for them.
2. Strengthens your practice brand
Offering dermatology and plastic surgery services in the same practice provides a value for the consumer: One phone number to call to schedule an appointment. One set of paperwork to complete. One bill to pay. Don’t forget the time and stress-saving value this provides your patients.
3. Collaboration improves patient care
Having an in-house plastic surgeon provides opportunities to collaborate and achieve maximum results for the patient. You can also decide which of the overlapping procedures you’d like to perform and ask the plastic surgeon to do the rest.
For Dr. Altman, the more overlap, the better. “I wanted a dermatologist who was well-rounded in both medical and cosmetic dermatology,” he says. “It’s always good to have another set of eyes for challenging cases.”
Dr. Habashy says working with a plastic surgeon expanded the treatment options available for her patients and improved her skills. “I learned tips on plastic surgery closures to enhance my skill set.”
Cons of Pairing with a Plastic Surgeon
1. Work overlap could lead to territorial disputes.
Since there are some areas of work that both dermatologists and plastic surgeons perform, pairing together could lead to disputes over which specialist will handle which procedures. Are both specialists allowed to provide certain procedures or are certain procedures limited to one specialist or another? Before hiring a plastic surgeon, have frank and honest discussions about these issues.
“Discuss what you are interested in doing within the scope of the practice and how to deal with overlapping treatments and patients beforehand,” says Dr. Habashy.
2. Differing philosophies could lead to patient care disputes.
If a patient sees both the dermatologist and the plastic surgeon, what happens if their recommendations differ? How will the practice resolve disputes, and how will the patient receive care with confidence? Plan ahead for these scenarios.
“Ultimately you are a team so discussing differing recommendations is important,” says Dr. Habashy. “It is important for patients to know all of their options for treatment, but ultimately, it is important to be on the same page when final decisions are made.”
3. Personality conflicts could hurt the practice.
Just like with any partnership, there is the potential for conflicts to arise that could hurt the practice. Before pairing with a plastic surgeon, make sure that you do your due diligence over whether partnering with this particular person is a wise idea. Investigate not only their prowess as a physician and surgeon, but also their personality and ways in which they interact with others. Will they contribute to a positive workplace culture? Will they interact with office staff in a way that makes the staff want to come to work each day? While you may work well with this particular plastic surgeon, make sure the specialist is the right fit for your practice and office culture.
Dr. Altman says partnering with a dermatologist on equal footing has been a rewarding experience. He has this advice for dermatologists and plastic surgeons considering a partnership: “The two fields are synergistic. What is good for one is essentially good for all. Don’t compete with one another. There is no alpha. Learn from each other, and improve and grow.”
