Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Technology and Medicine Do you remember some movies with actors-medical doctors visiting patients at homes? With an old-fashioned doctor's bag, full of instruments, first response medications, and bandaging materials? This was some 100 years ago, perhaps a little less, but it feels like a hundred years. Today, hardly any doctor makes house calls andI do not know where you can even buy a doctor's bag. Can you? Instead, we have electronic medical records, MRIS, sophisticated testing, and biologic medicines. Technology took medical science and flew with it into space, faster than light. The last 20-30 years made such a huge jump in technology levels of diagnostics and treatments that many older physicians simply can't keep up with. If you are not reading and investigating your specialty daily, you quickly get out of shape in regard to what is out there that is new and better and how you can assist your patients tools and machines. It also applies to new in a more effective way. While what I just said above is true, it all very sophisticated technology. These drugs does not come easily and without traps. cost a fortune too. First of all, technology costs money. There are many new tools and new methods of treatment that get introduced every only have to be prepared to seek the best year. Many of them may turn out to be possible testing and treatment options, revolutionary and useful on a daily basis in several years but now, immediately after they actually a realistic option in every single case are being incorporated into mainstream of separately. And it goes into several different medicine, they cost thousands. The problem directions of variables. Are the tests and is that very often, new tools are improved treatments we prescribe the optimal or the and adjusted every several years, so a laser only option? How reliable is that option? you bought 5 years ago may be useless Do we know if my patients have a higher today and you need to update it and pay benefit than risk by taking that option? more. Many diagnostic radiology machines Will my patients be able to pay for that test can cost millions and naturally, the testing and treatment? Can I offer an alternative they perform becomes very expensive as if the option I proposed is not possible? well. You probably know where i am going These are all questions doctors must ask with my thinking? Well, if the equipment is themselves before they actually extend the expensive and the testing is expensive, then plan to patients. the insurance companies either deny it or the premiums become more expensive too. Our healthcare cost is the most expensive have to be vigilant in selecting what is system in the world, and we all know it is not sustainable. Of course, we all want the best possible technology and treatment. and the best, but they rely on us to tell them When we get sick, we do not want to worry what will be the best for them. And it might about money, we want good tests and good not be the newest. doctors, and we want to be cured. The high cost is not applicable just to technology, drugs that are developed with the help of With all of the above in mind, doctors and other medical providers these days not but they must be sensitive to assess what is We all love new technology, new iphones, new cars, and any other tools. But we also beneficial and what might be too risky or unrealistic. Our patients deserve the newest Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Technology and Medicine Do you remember some movies with actors-medical doctors visiting patients at homes? With an old-fashioned doctor's bag, full of instruments, first response medications, and bandaging materials? This was some 100 years ago, perhaps a little less, but it feels like a hundred years. Today, hardly any doctor makes house calls andI do not know where you can even buy a doctor's bag. Can you? Instead, we have electronic medical records, MRIS, sophisticated testing, and biologic medicines. Technology took medical science and flew with it into space, faster than light. The last 20-30 years made such a huge jump in technology levels of diagnostics and treatments that many older physicians simply can't keep up with. If you are not reading and investigating your specialty daily, you quickly get out of shape in regard to what is out there that is new and better and how you can assist your patients tools and machines. It also applies to new in a more effective way. While what I just said above is true, it all very sophisticated technology. These drugs does not come easily and without traps. cost a fortune too. First of all, technology costs money. There are many new tools and new methods of treatment that get introduced every only have to be prepared to seek the best year. Many of them may turn out to be possible testing and treatment options, revolutionary and useful on a daily basis in several years but now, immediately after they actually a realistic option in every single case are being incorporated into mainstream of separately. And it goes into several different medicine, they cost thousands. The problem directions of variables. Are the tests and is that very often, new tools are improved treatments we prescribe the optimal or the and adjusted every several years, so a laser only option? How reliable is that option? you bought 5 years ago may be useless Do we know if my patients have a higher today and you need to update it and pay benefit than risk by taking that option? more. Many diagnostic radiology machines Will my patients be able to pay for that test can cost millions and naturally, the testing and treatment? Can I offer an alternative they perform becomes very expensive as if the option I proposed is not possible? well. You probably know where i am going These are all questions doctors must ask with my thinking? Well, if the equipment is themselves before they actually extend the expensive and the testing is expensive, then plan to patients. the insurance companies either deny it or the premiums become more expensive too. Our healthcare cost is the most expensive have to be vigilant in selecting what is system in the world, and we all know it is not sustainable. Of course, we all want the best possible technology and treatment. and the best, but they rely on us to tell them When we get sick, we do not want to worry what will be the best for them. And it might about money, we want good tests and good not be the newest. doctors, and we want to be cured. The high cost is not applicable just to technology, drugs that are developed with the help of With all of the above in mind, doctors and other medical providers these days not but they must be sensitive to assess what is We all love new technology, new iphones, new cars, and any other tools. But we also beneficial and what might be too risky or unrealistic. Our patients deserve the newest Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net