Treatment
September 23, 2000Treating Psoriasis: What Shared-Decision Making Really Means
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Guest Speaker
Tina Bhutani, M.D., MASTitle
Medical Board Member, National Psoriasis FoundationDermatologist, Medical Director, CEO, and Owner
Synergy Dermatology
San Francisco, CA
Guest Speaker
Kirby OrtegoTitle
Volunteer,National Psoriasis Foundation
Moderator
Kaleigh WelchTitle
Volunteer and Mentor, One to One Program,National Psoriasis Foundation
Do you need a change in treatment for your psoriasis? Hear dermatologist Dr. Tina Bhutani and patient advocate Kirby Ortego address this question from their perspectives and considerations.
Learn more about what shared-decision making truly means as host Kaleigh Welch asks the questions of how psoriasis treatment discussions are approached, what needs to be considered when transitioning to a biologic, what questions are important to ask, and more with leading dermatologist Dr. Tina Bhutani, Medical Director and CEO at Synergy Dermatology, and patient advocate Kirby Ortego who offers tips of what she’s learned after years of living with plaque psoriasis, advocating for her care. She 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.”
The intent of this episode is to highlight a discussion about what shared-decision making really means when discussing treatment choices from the perspective of someone who lives with psoriasis and a leading dermatologist.
This episode is sponsored by AbbVie.
Key Takeaways
- There are many questions and considerations that need to occur when building a relationship between a health care professional and someone who has psoriasis.
- Shared-decision making involves a collaborative and open discussion about treatment choices addressing preferences, lifestyle, fears and medical concerns, administration of medication, and treatment goals.
- When you are advocating for yourself and working in partnership with your dermatologist, you are in control.
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, experiencing many treatment challenges in her young life.
- (1:16) Kirby’s experience with severe plaque psoriasis at a young age to managing her disease as an adult.
- (5:06) Learning to advocate for your own care and what questions to ask.
- (8:18) From the dermatologist’s perspective, steps that help create a comfortable environment where treatment conversations feel less overwhelming.
- (12:38) Discussions about why a shift to systemic or biologic treatment may be necessary to help normalize the immune response to attain clearance of the skin at 1% or less BSA.
- (20:14) Considerations for administering self-injections, moving from hesitancy to confidence when making a treatment change.
- (24:15) Kirby’s perspective on injecting a biologic treatment. It’s all in how it’s framed.
- (26:15) When your version of doing well differs from other people including your doctor.
- (28:03) What shared-decision making looks like in real life between a patient and dermatologist.
- (29:29) Tips for advocating for your own care.
- (33:17) You should feel comfortable with your health care professional and your treatment plan. If not, voice your concerns and ask questions. They are there to help you.
Guest Bios
Board-certified dermatologist Tina Bhutani, M.D., MAS, is the CEO, owner, and Medical Director of Synergy Dermatology in San Francisco. Dr. Bhutani is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where she previously co-directed the Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center and directed the Clinical Trials Unit for over 8 years focusing on the development of new treatments and the mechanisms of disease initiation. Dr. Bhutani values offering compassionate care and is committed to a patient-centered approach to improve the lives of those with inflammatory skin diseases. She is a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Medical Board which published a consensus statement in June 2025 called "Defining On Treatment Remission in Plaque Psoriasis" in JAMA Dermatology.
Kirby Ortego is a patient advocate who was diagnosed with severe plaque psoriasis at age 12. She learned how to advocate for herself watching her parents ask questions and inquire about new treatments. Her family engaged with NPF early in her disease process to meet others, stay informed, and to help champion needs associated with living with a chronic, health disease. Now an adult she uses what she learned to address the physical and mental health challenges of living with psoriasis such as the stress of switching medications and facing the uncertainty that comes with trying new treatments.
Resources
- “Redefining Remission: A new definition for patients, providers and payers” Advance Online. S. Schlosser. July 2025.
- “Insider Tips and Tricks for Successful Appointments” Learn tips from Seritta, Emme, and Archie. April 2025.
- Request an Appointment Prep kit for tips on how to prepare for health care appointments to make the most of your time together whether in person or by telehealth.
We’re Here to Help
If you need help finding a dermatologist near you or more information about making the most of your health care appointments contact the NPF’s Patient Navigation Center for assistance.