Running the Show: Why Doctors Must Lead the Future of Health Tech - Bilal Fawaz, MD

What if the future of dermatology depends on doctors taking control of technology—before tech entrepreneurs do it for us?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Bilal Fawaz, board-certified dermatologist and associate program director at Boston University's Department of Dermatology, who is revolutionizing healthcare technology as the founder of DermHub—a mobile teledermatology app created and run entirely by dermatologists. With extensive experience managing over 7,000 econsult patients at BU since 2019, Dr. Fawaz brings a physician-first perspective to digital healthcare innovation. His core belief? "Physicians should be the ones leading the health tech field, not tech entrepreneurs."

This episode explores the critical intersection of dermatology and entrepreneurship, examining why doctors must take control of health technology before profit-driven companies compromise patient care. What are the hidden costs of building a medical app? How do you navigate HIPAA compliance, state licensing, and insurance reimbursement? Dr. Fawaz shares his journey through app development, from initial sketches to launch, while discussing the future of store-and-forward teledermatology, the limitations of mid-level providers in digital healthcare, and why judgment-based care deserves better compensation.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Dr. Bilal Fawaz introduces DermHub and the mission to put dermatologists in charge of teledermatology
• (05:01) Breaking down the costs: initial investment versus recurring expenses for healthcare apps
• (11:00) Why physicians should lead health tech instead of being discarded as advisors
• (15:18) Store-and-forward technology: the scalable future of dermatology access to care
• (19:11) The harsh reality of telehealth compensation and physician liability in digital medicine
• (23:51) Managing 50 state licenses and the hidden bureaucratic costs of nationwide practice
• (30:02) Final thoughts: why dermatologists must collaborate and support each other in health tech
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About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Resources:

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Dermhub: The Future of Tech in Health Care
• (00:00:28) - Dr. Bilal Fawaz on DermHub
• (00:02:17) - How to Build a telehealth app in the US
• (00:05:26) - How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App?
• (00:06:48) - Dr. Rodolani on her venture and Durham's support
• (00:08:21) - The Toothpick App for Dentists
• (00:15:59) - How to get your Derm Hub, your own LLC registered in
• (00:19:13) - The Complicated Issues of Telehealth
• (00:26:35) - How to prescribe via the Internet
• (00:30:19) - Dr. Chacon on Health Tech