In an ever-changing healthcare landscape, Modernizing Medicine stands out with its innovative electronic medical record (EMR) solutions tailored for various specialties. My recent conversation on the Derm Club podcast with Dr. Michael Sherling, the co-founder and a practicing dermatologist, provided insightful revelations about the company’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their impact on the future of dermatology.
Initially launched in 2010 focusing on dermatology, the company later branched into ophthalmology and other medical fields. “It usually takes about two years to build a vertical and refine it,” Dr. Sherling noted. His co-founder, Dan, insisted that he first implement the platform in his own practice to identify its critical features. This hands-on experience proved invaluable for refining the system. The first clients, a husband and wife team of doctors from Wyoming, provided the essential leap from a small-scale project to a product ready for market scaling. The venture wasn’t without obstacles. Launching just after the subprime mortgage crisis presented challenges in raising capital. Natural disasters like hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic required swift, innovative responses, such as rolling out a telemedicine app in just a few weeks.
The platform’s impact on dermatology is considerable. It offers features like an anatomical atlas and cancer logs, which simplify the process for practitioners. Dr. Sherling also mentioned the platform’s emphasis on reducing human error by allowing high-resolution photos within the application, thus enhancing patient safety. Dr. Sherling highlighted the real-world impacts of Modernizing Medicine by sharing stories of healthcare providers and patients who have benefitted. A physician couple from Wyoming, among the platform’s early adopters, reported a significant reduction in time spent on administrative tasks. Feedback from patients praised the telemedicine capabilities, especially during the pandemic, allowing for remote consultations for conditions like acne and psoriasis.
Future Avenues and Ethical Practices
As for what lies ahead, Modernizing Medicine aims to leverage AI to alleviate some of the healthcare sector’s current challenges, such as physician burnout and administrative costs. Though details on specific AI initiatives were sparse, Dr. Sherling expressed a keen interest in “automating the drudgery of healthcare.” On the topic of data usage and privacy, he assured that patient data is safeguarded meticulously, aligning with ethical practices and only serving to aid individual practices.
My conversation with Dr. Sherling affirmed that Modernizing Medicine is not merely an EMR platform but a dynamic, evolving solution poised to revolutionize healthcare, particularly in the field of dermatology. By tackling administrative inefficiencies, improving patient safety, and offering real-world benefits, the platform is a beacon of hope for a more effective, patient-centered healthcare system.
