In my last editorial, I outlined that I was going to spend 2017 in reflection of how medical practices and, specifically, dermatology practices are run. How do we do what we do? What are best practices? What is being done in our practices that is innovative and customer friendly? I think I have shared that, because of our publication schedule, I find myself writing the issue's editorial well in advance. I have been spending much of my recent "free time" on Pinterest. I think I have mentioned my interest with this social media in previous editorials. Don't judge; it's one of my guilty habits for cold weather months! Plus, you should check out my "DNA & JDNA" page at @angelaborger. I'd love for you to send me posts to add to that board. I spend my time there also finding ideas about home/office decoration, which is not something for which I have a natural talent. But I love looking at the colors, the furniture, and the decorations!
Office decorations[horizontal ellipsis]I bet there are as many styles of decorating as readers. And I bet most of us didn't get much in the way of input into how our office is decorated. At first glance, this topic may seem trivial, but what I would suggest is that the presentation of the whole office has a large influence in the perceptions our patients have about the office and about us, the workers. And I am betting the office style influences the operation of the practice.
What is the first thing a patient would see walking into your current practice? Is it a welcoming invitation to come in and be taken care of? What is the overall impression? I am getting old enough, and I have seen enough offices, to immediately spot the office that hasn't had a transformation since the mauve-color-influenced 1980s. What does this messaging say to the patients, who we are hoping will be our customers of dermatology practice? Perhaps, your office has new furniture or a specialized or corporate color scheme? I have to admit that I've come from offices where the primary focus of the waiting room was crumpled, out-of-date magazines. In my current office, we both have had an impressive almost 8-foot-tall waterfall that was the central focus of our waiting room and now have an LED-colored bubble wall fountain. When the focus is on such a statement piece, that piece becomes a center of conversation and really does make an impression. So, tell me what your office does that makes you stand out. What makes your practice patient friendly and noteworthy? Even better, send me photos, and I'd love to share them on our social media.
Speaking of innovative and noteworthy, I wanted to call your attention to the special Editorial in this month's issue. Noreen Nicol, whom many of you know is a Past President of the Dermatology Nurses' Association, has written a guest Editorial to highlight the debut of a new column in the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association (JDNA) titled "Dermatologic Nursing Essentials Spotlight," which will include excerpts from the textbook of the same name. I think this special monthly column will highlight important dermatology nursing knowledge, and I am pleased to have JDNA collaborate on this project.
Also exciting for the JDNA is the presentation of our Writing Awards. It is with great pleasure that I'd like to acknowledge and celebrate the 2016 JDNA Writing Award winners for Best Clinical Article, Best Research Article, and the People's Choice Award chosen by you, the readers of the JDNA. Please see Figure 1 for a complete list of these award winners and join me in honoring their accomplishments.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your pictures too,
Angela L. Borger
Editor in Chief
E-mail: [email protected]