Description:

Navigating psoriasis treatment can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with new treatments, unfamiliar medical terms, and important care decisions.

In this episode of Psoriasis Uncovered, host Kaleigh Welch is joined by dermatologist Dr. Tina Bhutani, Medical Director and CEO at Synergy Dermatology, and patient advocate Kirby Ortego for an engaging discussion about the role of shared decision-making in psoriasis care. Together, they explore how open communication, trust, and mutual understanding can help patients and healthcare professionals work as partners in choosing treatment options that align with individual goals, preferences, and lifestyles.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or evaluating your current treatment plan, this episode offers practical insights on asking questions, advocating for your needs, overcoming concerns about advanced therapies, and building confidence in treatment decisions. As Kirby states "psoriatic disease isn't the easiest to control. When you advocate for yourself and work in partnership with your dermatologist, you are back in control."

This episode is sponsored by AbbVie (https://www.abbvie.com/who-we-are.html) .

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome to dermatologist Dr. Tina Bhutani and Kirby, who was diagnosed with psoriasis at age 12.

1:16 Kirby's experience growing up with severe plaque psoriasis and how that shaped her approach to self-advocacy and navigating treatment decisions.

5:06 Learning to advocate for your own care and what questions to ask.

8:18 Dr. Bhutani's strategies for creating transparent conversations that help patients feel heard and empowered when exploring treatment options.

12:38 Dr. Bhutani explains how she discusses advanced treatment options with patients to help them understand treatment goals without feeling intimidated.

15:24 Why dermatologists may recommend treatment changes even when a patient feels satisfied.

20:14