Episode 40 - The Power of Patient Networking Groups | The Future of Dermatology Podcast

Summary Todd Bello, founder of the Facebook group, Overcoming Psoriasis, shares his journey as a psoriasis patient and the impact it had on his life. He discusses the challenges he faced, including the lack of information and treatment options available at the time of his diagnosis. Todd emphasizes the importance of finding a board-certified dermatologist and joining support groups like the National Psoriasis Foundation. He also highlights the advancements in psoriasis treatment over the past 30 years, particularly the development of biologics. Todd mentions the potential for genetic testing and personalized medicine in the future. He concludes by discussing the role of his patient networking group in providing support and accurate information to psoriasis patients worldwide.   Takeaways Finding a board-certified dermatologist and joining support groups like the National Psoriasis Foundation are crucial for psoriasis patients. Advancements in psoriasis treatment, particularly the development of biologics, have significantly improved outcomes for patients. Genetic testing and personalized medicine hold promise for the future of psoriasis treatment. Patient networking groups play a vital role in providing support and accurate information to psoriasis patients worldwide.   If you suffer from psoriasis: Help Us Understand More About Sleep and Psoriasis Are you interested in helping researchers understand how psoriasis and sleep are related? Please consider taking our paid online survey. Recruiting both individuals with and without psoriasis. https://redcap.ucsf.edu/surveys/?s=RLFR379LNL4RFTTF   Help Us Understand About Menopause and Psoriasis Are you interested in helping researchers understand how psoriasis and menopause are related? Please consider taking our paid online survey. Recruiting post-menopausal women with psoriasis. https://redcap.ucsf.edu/surveys/?s=JYTNX3XKDC84J3DX   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 05:17 - The Impact of Psoriasis on a Patient's Life and Career 11:22 - Advancements in Psoriasis Treatment: The Role of Biologics 25:00 - Addressing Hesitancy Towards Biologics 26:20 - The Future of Psoriasis Research and Treatment