Using Dermatology MVP to Rediscover Purpose and Joy Through Highly Adoptable Improvement

Conclusions

• Highly adoptable improvement works best when projects are both important to clinicians and designed to reduce, rather than add to, workload.
• A simplified, EHR-integrated PEST screening workflow increased validated psoriatic arthritis screening, was viewed as easier by clinicians, and did not reduce referrals.
• Embedding screening before visits and into notes can make care more efficient while improving confidence in appropriate rheumatology referral for psoriasis patients.
• Reducing low-risk skin checks through a decision-support tool can improve access to dermatology without compromising care.
• A structured skin cancer risk assessment can help clinicians avoid unnecessary follow-up for low-risk patients and reserve visits for those with greater need.
• The dermatology access tool increased new-patient volume modestly, suggesting that fewer low-risk follow-ups can free capacity for patients needing care.
• Clinicians generally accepted the skin-check reduction tool as reasonable, fast to use, and helpful for making more informed scheduling decisions.
• Outcome measures such as treatment response, patient-reported quality of life, and itch severity can be simplified and incorporated into routine workflows.
• Quality improvement projects can create purpose, camaraderie, and a greater sense of control, making joy in work a byproduct of better care processes.