DiscoverThe Distinctive Dermatologist
The Distinctive Dermatologist
Claim Ownership

The Distinctive Dermatologist

Author: Scott McKain

Subscribed: 1Played: 2
Share

Description

For dermatologists and those associated with their practice who want to deliver an Ultimate Customer Experience® for their patients to expand retention and referrals. We’ll look at how you grow your bottom line while providing higher-quality patient experiences.
118 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode, we’re discussing an important yet often uncomfortable aspect of dermatology practice management: handling patient complaints. No matter how exceptional your care is, complaints will arise. How you respond to them can either strengthen patient trust or damage your reputation. Let's explore how to proactively address patient concerns and turn challenges into opportunities. Also -- a thank you. There are over 900 podcasts on dermatology, and a panel at FeedSpot has selected the top 45 that every professional in the field should be listening to—and we are honored that “The Distinctive Dermatologist” is among that small group. Thank you, FeedSpot.
In this special edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain sits down with Josh Swindle, Chief Operating Officer of SkinCure Oncology. While GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology sponsors this podcast, this conversation is NOT a commercial. Instead, it’s a candid look at how practices can deliver care that is distinctive, trusted, and transformative. Josh shares insights from his background as a radiation therapist, and his leadership perspective, highlighting the importance of patient-centered operations, building trust through consistency, and ensuring that practices not only treat conditions but also support the whole patient journey. His message reinforces a central theme of this podcast: distinction is created by caring deeply, executing consistently, and going beyond the expected.
Most dermatology practices focus on the appointment itself—what happens in the exam room, or during the procedure. That’s important, of course. But this episode focuses on what often gets missed: patients don’t stop being your patients when they walk out the door. In fact, post-treatment experiences—how you follow up, how you communicate, how you care for them afterward—are some of the most powerful ways to build trust, increase retention, and spark referrals.  Thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is a perfect reminder: your care doesn’t end when the procedure does—and distinction lives in those extra steps you take.
This episode is about a mindset shift that can change everything about how patients see your practice. It’s about moving from transaction to transformation. Here’s the reality: too many practices unintentionally define themselves by transactions. A patient schedules a skin check, you perform the exam, they pay their copay, and they’re gone. Done. Distinctive practices take a different path. They focus on transformation. This episode will show you how it's done. Thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects this very principle—because transformation is always more powerful than transaction.
In this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain explores how the words you and your team use can make or break patient loyalty. It’s not just about clinical expertise—patients remember how your communication made them feel. Discover how to shift from transactional language to relational language, learn simple word changes that show respect and empathy, and see how training your entire team in “the language of loyalty” can increase retention and referrals. Whether it’s rethinking how you schedule appointments, handle insurance conversations, or close out a visit, this episode gives you actionable ways to transform everyday interactions into long-term patient relationships. Sponsored by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, committed to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience®.
We’ve all seen before-and-after photos. Every practice uses them. And they can be powerful. But here’s the issue: when everybody does the same thing, it stops being distinctive. And worse, patients are increasingly skeptical. With AI editing tools, filters, and perfect lighting, many people wonder: “Are those results real?” So the question becomes: How do you show patient results in a way that feels distinctive, ethical, and trustworthy? This episode will reveal several approaches to make your practice stand out. AND -- thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is exactly why these conversations matter—because creating distinction isn’t just about showing results, it’s about building trust, connection, and long-term loyalty.
Clinical excellence is the foundation of the profession of dermatology. But here’s the challenge—clinical skill, no matter how extraordinary, is not enough to set your practice apart. Now, that doesn’t mean skill isn’t important. It means the differentiator comes when you combine that expertise with empathy. Patients expect you to be clinically excellent. They assume you’ve mastered your craft. What makes them loyal, what makes them refer friends and family, and what makes them remember your practice—is how you made them feel. That's why this episode reveals the research that your clinical excellence gets amplified when it’s paired with emotional connection. Thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® extends to every touchpoint—including the time patients spend at your practice.
For most practices, the waiting room is designed for one purpose—holding patients until it’s their turn. But here’s the truth: your waiting room is also where patients form—or reinforce—their opinion of your brand. Those few minutes before an appointment aren’t just downtime. They’re prime real estate for shaping perception, building trust, and even prompting action. That's why this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist reveals that your waiting room is one of your most overlooked marketing tools...and what to do about it so your practice can create distinction to ensure your patients become advocates for you with their friends and family!
This episode is about shifting how you—and your team—view each patient who walks through your doors. Too many practices see appointments as individual transactions: A skin check here. A procedure there. Maybe a cosmetic consult. But your most valuable patients aren’t the ones who spend the most today. They’re the ones who come back year after year, refer friends and family, and trust you enough to follow your guidance on both medical and cosmetic care. We’re talking about The Lifetime Patient Value Mindset. Thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is the kind of long-term thinking that turns satisfied patients into loyal advocates.
In this episode, we’re talking about something every practice gets—but not every practice uses to its advantage: Patient reviews. Most practices treat reviews as a scoreboard. But the most distinctive practices? They treat reviews as a strategy. The question then becomes: Are you using your reviews to shape your reputation? Or just reacting to them? In this segment of The Distinctive Dermatologist, you'll discover three steps to use reviews to enhance your practice. Thanks again to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring this podcast. Their commitment to helping dermatology practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is what enables us to continue sharing these ideas with you.
This episode's topic hits right at the heart of how patients think, behave, and decide—because we’re talking about Dermatology in the Subscription Economy. The way we consume things has shifted—and permanently. From entertainment and fitness to food delivery and even car maintenance, today’s economy is shaped by recurring value. It’s not about a one-time transaction anymore—it’s about ongoing connection. This mindset—this “subscription economy”—isn’t limited to digital services. It’s reshaping expectations across every industry. And that includes dermatology. So what does that mean for your practice? You'll find out on this episode of "The Distinctive Dermatologist," brought to you by GentleCure® from SkinCure Oncology.
Ask most patients to describe a medical visit, and they’ll often talk about the doctor… maybe the procedure… and then, the billing. But if we’re being honest, the patient experience starts—and is often defined—at the front desk. That first interaction sets the tone for everything else that follows. In this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, we’re making the case that the front desk isn’t just administrative—it’s strategic. It’s not just about checking people in—it’s about welcoming them in. And when you elevate the front desk, you elevate the entire practice.
Dermatology marketing fatigue is real. You spend time and money on campaigns, social media, SEO, and paid ads—and yet, the ROI isn’t always what you hoped. But, what if the most effective way to grow your practice… didn’t cost a thing? Let’s talk about how you create a patient experience so distinctive, it becomes your most effective growth strategy—one that builds trust, loyalty, and a constant flow of referrals. That's this edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist, sponsored by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology.
Here is something every practice manager and dermatologist knows in their gut: it’s harder than ever to build and keep a great team. If we ignore this—or worse, treat it as just the “cost of doing business”—we’re not only risking patient satisfaction. We’re risking the culture and brand of our practice. This week's episode will discuss how distinctive practices are addressing this head-on and what you can do to lead your team through it. The Distinctive Dermatologist is sponsored by GentleCure...tough on cancer. Easy on skin.
Insurance carriers are making coverage decisions that not only impact the business side of your practices—but that also override your clinical judgment and strip patients of their right to choose from all medically appropriate options. What happens when insurance companies—not physicians—start deciding what’s best for our patients? Let’s be honest—this isn’t hypothetical. It’s happening. And it’s growing. This isn’t just about IG-SRT—it’s about how we protect what matters most: trust, autonomy, and the promise that your patients are more than policies. That's why it's the topic of this week's episode of "The Distinctive Dermatologist."
Today’s episode is a bit different… and frankly, a bit urgent. Because what happens when innovation in healthcare is intentionally slowed down… or even stopped? Eliminating choice doesn’t just hurt one patient. Over time, it creates something dangerous—not just resentment. But distrust. Distrust in providers. Distrust in institutions. Distrust in all of us who should be advocating for the people we serve. That’s why today's episode isn’t just a dermatology issue. It’s a leadership issue. An ethics issue. A distinction issue. Because distinctive practices don't limit access. They inform. They educate. They present clinically approved options—then empower the patient to decide.
Restricting patients to a narrow set of treatment options can have unintended repercussions. That's why this episode is exploring a critical aspect of patient care: the importance of offering all clinically accepted treatment options to our patients. This discussion isn't just about ethics—it's about enhancing patient outcomes, fostering trust, and advancing the profession.
We’ve all been there. The patient books the appointment. Maybe even confirms it. And then… silence. No call. No show. It’s frustrating, costly, and—if it happens enough—it can throw off the rhythm of even the best-run practice. But here’s the key question: What makes a dermatology practice so distinctive that patients don’t just schedule—but show up, come back, and refer others? Today, The Distinctive Dermatologist tackles the ghosting epidemic—and how your practice can reduce it by delivering an Ultimate Customer Experience®.
In a time of rapid change with new technologies, evolving patient expectations, and innovations, the ability to lead—rather than lag—can define your long-term success. That's why we’re focusing this episode on a critical topic for anyone who wants their practice to not just survive—but thrive: staying ahead of industry trends.
In the real world of expanding practices, increasing overhead, and rising expectations, how do you keep your clinical excellence intact while growing your business in a sustainable, distinctive way? Today we’re exploring a challenge that many practices face—especially those that are growing: how to balance business growth with patient care.
loading
Comments