Innovations in Patient Care and Dermatology
Dr Eleanor Chatburn, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, University of East Anglia Page
Dr Anjali Mahto BSc MBBCh FRCP,
Patients today are supportive of self-testing and AI in diagnostics — here’s why
A recent survey shows widespread patient enthusiasm for adopting self-testing and AI technologies to speed up diagnoses and access to healthcare services.
Asurvey by the Patients Association found patients eager to adopt innovative diagnostic methods like self-testing and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their access to healthcare and speed up results.
At-home diagnostics and self-testing
The survey uncovered overwhelming support for expanding at-home testing opportunities, with three out of five (61%) respondents believing it could speed up diagnosis. This enthusiasm may be a consequence of people’s increased familiarity with self-testing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked about where patients would be willing to selftest, three-quarters (77%) said they would be comfortable testing at home, compared to two-fifths (44%) who would self-test in a clinical setting. Just 4% were unwilling to self-test in either location.
Leveraging AI to accelerate diagnosis
The survey, supported by Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, also explored attitudes toward using AI in diagnostics. Three out of five (60%) felt leveraging new technologies like AI could accelerate diagnoses and relieve strain on the healthcare system.
Encouragingly, three-quarters (73%) said they were very or quite likely to trust diagnostic results generated by AI. However, the two-fifths (44%) who were ‘quite likely’ hint at lingering doubts for some. Only 16% were outright distrustful of AI-powered results.
This preference for home self-testing may stem from patients’ confidence in their ability to test without supervision.
This preference for home self-testing may stem from patients’ confidence in their ability to test without supervision. Some responses suggest patients see self-testing as a gateway to necessary services. Hesitation around clinical self-testing could reflect a belief clinicians should administer tests.
Lifestyle changes to manage conditions
For conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, our diagnostic capabilities currently outpace treatments. Still, nearly three-quarters (72%) said they would take a predictive test if available, and nine out of ten (89%) would make lifestyle changes to potentially delay onset of disease or symptoms if results said they were at high risk.
These data reveal patients are ready for innovations like self-testing and AI to improve diagnostic processes. As these technologies advance, the healthcare system must work with patients before deploying them, addressing public concerns and delivering new services they will want to use and benefit from.
Cross-sector collaboration to deliver more integrated care in the community
Moving care out of hospital and into the community is a crucial innovation and one of the key improvements outlined in the
Delivering care closer to home has significant benefits; not just improving outcomes for patients, but it can also improve productivity by way of easing pressure and resources on acute services.
Opportunities and challenges for a care closer to home model There are many opportunities for community health services to use digital technology to deliver high-quality care for patients and communities closer to their homes. This includes services such as monitoring patients remotely; telehealth; holding virtual consultations; and giving patients digital tools to manage their conditions.
However, the community provider landscape is complex, with varied digital maturity. It can be difficult to share data between different providers, organisations and system partners. Without effective and securely accessible data-sharing, there remain challenges in developing a holistic view of a person’s health and care needs, as well as delivering integrated care through multidisciplinary teams. A lack of shared and interoperable data can also hinder integrated care systems in understanding their population’s health and intervention needs.
This is why we welcomed the £3.4 billion announced in the Spring Budget for NHS digitisation. However, it still falls short of the £6.4 billion
annual capital funding increase we are calling for.
Digital tools can help boost integration Community sector leaders are optimistic about the potential for greater integration across primary and community services. Many are already working closely with primary care colleagues to deliver more integrated care.
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is on its way towards finalising an updated digital strategy. This will set out how digital tools can be used to support the promotion of health and wellness as well as deliver high-quality care, allowing patients to use digital tools to access services and monitor their own health.
The team recently held workshops on digital improvement in community services across different sectors to help understand areas of overlap in services, the potential to align digital delivery with existing local programmes and to shape priorities going forward.
Healthcare digitisation requires support While healthcare systems continue to make progress towards digitisation, some have further to go than others. With many systems under considerable financial pressure and high demand, they will need extra support to reap the full rewards digitalisation can bring.
WRITTEN BY Matthew Taylor Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
WRITTEN BY Rachel Power Chief Executive,
Healthcare innovations: digital solutions offer hope to NHS patients and staff
The NHS is embracing digital innovation to improve access and patient care. Discover the digital solutions enabling faster diagnoses, quicker access to specialists and early intervention.
NHS trusts are piloting online specialist assessments, as an innovative way to tackle waiting lists. Patients complete standardised questions online, leading to quicker diagnoses with information reviewed by consultants.
Optimising traditional models and responding faster
Data from Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, where HBSUK’s Virtual Lucy service was deployed, reveals more than 95% of dermatology cases can be managed from the information and photographs provided by patients. Cases are usually reviewed within 72 hours (typical waiting times are at least three months). Only 50% of patients subsequently need a follow-up.
electronic bed and capacity management platform - a specialised operational system which centralises patient flow data, automates workflows, and supports improved bed and capacity management. Combining this technology with the right processes ensures the most efficient and effective access, delivery, and transitions of care for patients
While availability of support is key, services must also be there when needed.
Evergreen Life takes a traditional clinical model, uses digital solutions to make it more efficient and then uses AI to optimise it further. Its workflow system has enabled GP practices to resolve patients’ requests in hours (rather than weeks), improving patient outcomes.
Cutting-edge solutions deliverable at scale
Three years ago, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust managed hospital bed capacity by using pen and paper, while nurses ran up and down several flights of stairs to check bed availability.
The Trust then introduced TeleTracking’s end-to-end
How a medication dispensing robot
improves lives for patients — and their carers
Automated medicine dispensing at home can improve medication adherence, minimise errors creeping into complex medication regimens and help patients live independent lives.
MDigital therapies improving access
Accredited online mental health services like Kooth are critical given the UK’s mental health crisis. While availability of support is key, services must also be there when needed. In a recent survey on Kooth, 96% of young people said it was important that they could access the service after school or work; 95% said it was important or very important that there were no long waiting lists.
Identify health decline early and live independently for longer Lilli is a lifestyle monitoring technology. By monitoring trends and patterns of behaviour, its insights can help to identify health decline before conditions become acute, supporting care professionals to tailor care packages effectively.
Transformational outcomes have been seen in Reading, Medway and Nottingham. Lilli can assist social workers in providing reassurance to friends and family that their loved ones are able to remain at home safely.
ImageprovidedbyEvondos
ika Apell, CIO at Evondos, has witnessed the challenge of medication management firsthand.
“When I was a boy, my mother would call my granny every day and ask if she had taken her pills,” he says. “My granny didn’t like being checked up on all the time — but my mother thought, rightly, that she needed reminding.”
Medication dispensing robot supports independent living
Though that was a while ago, the issue of medication management hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 50% of medicines are not taken as prescribed. That’s
a vicious cycle because when conditions are inefficiently managed, it harms patient health and puts an extra burden on already over-stretched health systems.
“The population is ageing,” notes Apell. “So, we should find ways to care for more patients with fewer healthcare professionals.” With this in mind, Apell founded Evondos, a Finland-based healthcare technology company, which has created a medication dispensing robot for the home.
This automated tabletop service — once plugged in — reminds patients when it is time to take their tablets and delivers their medicine to them with clear, spoken instructions. If
medication is missed, the robot stores it in a locked chamber, which can only be accessed by care staff. The device can help people with complex medication needs live independently in their own homes.
Improving medication management and preventing error
The technology is currently being used by over 600 home care organisations in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands. Plans are underway to introduce it into the UK market. To date, Apell says it has dispensed more than 30 million medical doses with a 99% adherence rate.
Yet, Apell stresses that automation does not simply improve medication management. It can prevent errors from creeping into sometimes complex medication regimens, too. “If a caregiver is giving patients 10 different pills in 10 different packages, the probability for error is high,” he says.
“Automation can make a real impact by preventing human error.”
Freeing carers for human interaction Plus, he believes it can improve the lives of carers. “I remember my grandmother’s nurses being so busy sorting out her pills that they didn’t always have time to stop and talk to her,” says Apell. “Automated dispensing would give carers more time to deliver real, human care to the people who need it most.”
INTERVIEW WITH Mika Apell Founder and CIO (Chief Internationalization Officer), Evondos
WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
True digital health solutions establish patient-centric care
Our healthcare requirements, and therefore demands of the NHS, continue to evolve. As we live longer and manage more long-term conditions, the need for health services and care access increases.
The challenge of supporting increasing and individual demands, without overwhelming the fragile NHS, is perhaps our biggest health challenge.
Leveraging digital health solutions
Digital health is one solution. By leveraging technology, we can streamline patient management and ensure care remains patient-centred, with treatments and health strategies customised to each individual.
Enhancing care with digital tools
patients by providing critical health information and facilitating regular communication with providers. Telemedicine, for example, offers virtual consultations to patients with chronic illnesses, minimising travel and improving access for those in remote areas. This accessibility is vital for reducing health disparities and ensuring equitable care. However, it is crucial that digital health advancements do not exclude those lacking access to digital tools or those uncomfortable using them. Addressing this digital divide is essential.
patients and doctors to potential health issues before they arise or become severe, preventing visits to GPs, outpatients or hospitalisations and reducing healthcare costs. AI integration personalises treatment plans based on ongoing health data and can be a vital support tool for health professionals.
Collaboration for digital health advancements
The full potential of digital health requires cross-sector collaboration. Healthcare providers, technology companies, investors, policymakers and patient groups must work together to create solutions that are advanced, secure, scalable and user-friendly. Creating the necessary ecosystem to support small innovative companies, universities and NHS spinouts is crucial for supporting the development of technologies that could revolutionise patient care and improve outcomes and system efficiency.
Digital health includes telemedicine, mobile health apps, wearable devices and AI analytics. These tools empower
Mobile health apps and wearables give patients real-time health data, enabling proactive self-management. These technologies can alert both
Digital health holds significant promise for managing both acute and long-term care, making healthcare more accessible, personalised and efficient. With ongoing investment and collaboration across sectors, digital health can help make our health system truly patient-centric and patient-driven.
How to boost clinical trial access and make patients health-empowered
Clinical research is becoming more patient-centric, but there’s still more that needs to be done to make clinical trials available to everyone. This could include wider participation.
WRITTEN BY Stacey Davidson Content Strategist,
Clinical research is increasingly being recognised as a viable care option, improving health outcomes while accelerating clinical research. Yet, as few as 3% of eligible patients sign up.
How to increase patient participation
Pharmaceutical companies are working on overturning this statistic by designing and building trials that centre around participant needs. This includes greater patient involvement in trial design; more opportunities for treatment at home; fewer tests and assessments; and new technologies for support and monitoring. However, it seems clinical trial participation is not for everyone. Could it be because a huge amount of trust, awareness and understanding is needed to become a clinical trial participant?
Where the ‘activated’ patient comes in
information means that some patients defer decision-making to their doctors. It may not be on purpose, but this excludes many from potentially life-changing medicines.
Empower patients through clinical trials
This may be an opportunity for those in charge of clinical trials to take a leading role in helping patients to become activated, creating a push-pull that works in all directions. Consider clinical trial education and awareness resources developed with everyone in mind, helping to bridge the knowledge gap and supporting people to make informed decisions for their own health.
The complexity of clinical trial information means that some patients defer decision-making to their doctors.
According to health researcher Judith Hibbard, activated patients, who are actively engaged in managing their health and advocating for themselves, are better equipped to handle health conditions and contribute to treatment decisions.
Although, it’s not always an equal starting point because not everyone will be at activated status. Because initiatives often engage with those who are already activated and have high levels of health literacy, the complexity of clinical trial
Shift towards community-inclusive trials
The industry is already beginning to shift towards more patient-centred clinical trial recruitment and providing trial information that speaks to all — but that’s just the start. Perhaps it’s time to bring whole communities into contact with the clinical research world instead, giving everyone an opportunity to share their opinions and ideas — a chance to feel part of something bigger. It might not be easy, but it will be worth it.
WRITTEN BY Andrew Davies Executive Director, Digital Health, ABHI
GenAI is driving clinical efficiencies and research for improved patient outcomes
Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is empowering healthcare organisations to better leverage their data to improve the patient experience, address workforce challenges and boost productivity.
By handling routine backroom tasks, genAI frees clinicians from administrative duties, allowing them more time with patients by automatically generating common documents like discharge notes and GP letters. Additionally, genAI mines data from documents, including scientific literature, to aid biomedical research and improve patient outcomes with new therapies.
GenAI for healthcare admin automation
Former GP and Head of Digital Transformation at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Dr Andrew Jones, says that when it comes to improving healthcare workforce productivity, a major challenge is the amount of time clinical staff spend on administration.
A physician with 20 years’ experience in the NHS in both primary and secondary care, he points to scenarios where following a patient consultation, GPs would type into the electronic health record, order tests and then make a referral repeating the same information each time.
“One of the things that genAI is highly efficient at, is transcribing patient-clinician conversations,” says Jones.
Data enhancing patient records
The cloud provider has systems to ease this administrative burden on clinicians. “We have also developed services that take out key entities and important information from these conversations — such as medication, diagnoses and tests — summarise that and put it into the patient record,” he adds. “That is going to save doctors a huge amount of time.”
Aiding in medical document processing
Projects include exploring how AI solutions trained on different types of data, such as genomic sequences and medical images, might help identify patients at risk of cancer, and how generative AI can automatically review thousands of scientific papers to look for new insights and speed up research. “We provide customers access to a range of generative AI models, allowing them to identify the best performing, depending on use,” he adds. We are committed to developing AI responsibly. By prioritising ethical considerations and taking advantage of the tools, support and healthcare expertise, organisations can harness the full potential of generative AI while ensuring data protection and fairness in decision-making processes.
Assisting biocurators in knowledge curation
The company is working closely with Genomics England, a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, on using genAI to accelerate research. Dr Francisco Azuaje, Director of Bioinformatics at Genomics England, says they partner with AWS to use genAI tools to help biomedical knowledge management experts (biocurators) process large amounts of information from scientific literature.
Projects include multimodal cancer patient stratification, application of genAI to automate literature review and development of genAI-based medical information systems.
As more patients seek access to their records, we are also being asked to design systems that provide summaries of medical documents that are accessible and understandable. Dr Matt Howard, Head of Health Data Sciences, outlines how a range of customers — from hospitals and clinics to strategic research institutions — are assisted in getting started with these technologies. As well as supporting with automation of high-volume tasks and extracting information, compliance and ensuring privacy and data security is a critical element, insists Howard. He leads a team of applied data scientists who work with customers, harnessing critical data to develop generative AI-based healthcare solutions.
He explains: “This knowledge of medical conditions from the scientific literature is needed to help clinical experts establish connections between gene variants and diseases. The knowledge curation process aims to improve and maintain the knowledge base for supporting clinical diagnosis.”
More accurate diagnosis for improved patient outcomes
The AWS services and genAI research application, he continues, enables biomedical experts to efficiently extract and prioritise clinically relevant associations between gene variants and medical conditions from numerous scientific articles, ensuring Genomics England incorporates existing and new findings into its knowledge management pipelines.
Azuaje says: “This application is very important for us because, by integrating these findings into the Genomics England knowledge base, it provides evidence to help inform future decisions on the introduction of new genomic technologies which could make a real difference to the diagnosis and care of patients with rare conditions.”
INTERVIEW WITH Dr Andrew Jones Head of Digital Transformation, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
INTERVIEW WITH Dr Matt Howard Head of Health Data Sciences, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
INTERVIEW WITH Dr Francisco Azuaje Director of Bioinformatics, Genomics England
WRITTEN BY
Mark Nicholls
Why new robot tech is a game-changer for early lung cancer detection
Robot bronchoscopy technology can revolutionise the way that lung cancer is detected and diagnosed — and offers the potential of immediate treatment for some patients.
When diagnosing lung cancer, speed is of the essence — it’s vital to find and biopsy cancerous nodules as early as possible.
“If we can treat a tumour when it is less than 10mm in size, the cure rate is more than 92%,” explains Professor Pallav Shah, consultant physician in respiratory medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. “Between 10mm and 20mm, the cure rate is around 83%. However, if the growth is more than 30mm with spread to lymph nodes, the cure rate decreases to the low 40%.”
Robotic bronchoscopy improves lung tumour diagnosis
There are issues locating small lung tumours with a traditional bronchoscopy, which involves inserting a camera into the airways via the mouth. Standard bronchoscopes lack manoeuvrability and accessibility to outer areas of the lungs.
With traditional computerised tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung biopsy where the needle is inserted through the chest, there is also an increased risk of puncturing the lung.
(which enters the airways via the mouth) is extremely flexible and can move 360 degrees. “With Ion, we can now reach the periphery of the lung and biopsy hard-to-reach nodules,” says Professor Shah.
“Navigation is also made easier because the technology creates a 3D route map, which enables us to precisely find and lock on to small nodules. Previously, when trying to biopsy a nodule of less than 20mm, our success rate was around 65%. The new technology has increased this to 97%.”
The procedure, which also decreases the risk of lung puncture, is performed under general anaesthesia, takes around 25 minutes and enables patients to go home two hours later.
If we can treat a tumour when it is less than 10mm in size, the cure rate is more than 92%.
However, since April 2023, Professor Shah and his team have utilised new robotic technology, — the the Ion Endoluminal System — which he hails as a ‘game-changer’ for earlier detection and treatment of small cancerous nodules.
Many benefits of robotic biopsy technology
Using a robotically controlled catheter system, the tool
Innovative diagnostic solutions to tackle delayed diagnosis of COPD
Although over 1.4 million people are diagnosed with COPD in England, estimates suggest the total number of people living with COPD could be 1.9 million including those undiagnosed.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung conditions where it’s difficult to breathe air out of the lungs.
Projects tackling COPD diagnostic crisis
Asthma + Lung UK is committed to finding innovative diagnostic solutions to help tackle the serious health problems caused by delayed diagnosis and reduced access to treatments for people with lung conditions.
One project supported by the charity, looking to tackle the current COPD diagnostic crisis, is a partnership between TidalSense (developer of AI diagnostic and monitoring technologies), Chiesi Limited, Hull York Medical School and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Enabling immediate nodule treatment
Professor Shah and his team are trialling the possibility of using robotic technology to provide immediate treatment when suspicious nodules are found. “This technology has been designed as a diagnostic tool,” he admits. “However, with seven patients, we have used it to find and immediately ablate nodules using a new microwave catheter. technology — a type of ablation tool called the MicroBlate Flex, from UK company Creo. This a world-first, barrier-pushing development — although still in the study phase..”
He says the new technology has been revolutionary. “But, I’m pragmatic and think there is space for different methods of nodule identification and biopsy,” he notes. “We want as many tools as possible, so we can do what is best for patients.”
The project will enable the real-world assessment of the clinical application of TidalSense AI diagnostic technology, using the N-Tidal handheld device.
Efficient COPD diagnosis alternative The diagnostic test aims to provide someone with a diagnosis of COPD in under five minutes. It records a single minute of normal, relaxed breathing via a mouthpiece. It is easier for people to use than traditional spirometry tests as it requires less effort from the person being tested. The N-Tidal device requires no specialist training or certification and can be administered by any healthcare professional. In contrast, spirometry tests take around 30 minutes and require the user to be coached and the clinician to be trained.
The technology will be assessed as part of a study at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, involving up to 1,200 people aged 55–75, identified as having suspected COPD. Outcomes will be measured against the existing spirometry test, and it’s hoped the new diagnostic test will be adopted nationwide by the NHS in 2025.
Invest in COPD management
Lung conditions are the third biggest killer in the UK but only receive 2% of public investment in research to help diagnose, treat and manage them more effectively. Asthma + Lung UK is fighting for increased funding for research and innovation to transform and save millions of lives in the UK and globally.
WRITTEN BY Erika Kennington Head of Research and Innovation, Asthma + Lung UK
Paid for by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care
INTERVIEW WITH Professor Pallav Shah Consultant Physician in Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital
WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
Navigating medication and faith: discussing religious beliefs with your doctors
Many faiths and philosophies, including Islam, Hinduism and veganism have dietary requirements, but how does that apply to medicines? Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, member of the Muslim Council of Britain, explains.
Can I ask my doctor which medicines suit my religious/philosophical beliefs?
Muslim patients are expected to ask healthcare practitioners (HCPs) whether their medication is suitable for Muslims — if it is halal (permissible) or haram (prohibited). HCPs don’t always know. It would help if some doctors had access to readily available information to help expand their knowledge about patients’ religious needs.
What if the doctor doesn’t know what is allowed?
Conducting reliable research may help, or ask an expert about ingredients and alternative medicines. In addition to seeking advice from a clinician, Muslims can ask their Imam for support, who may direct them to a medical expert with more in-depth knowledge on their concern.
There are ongoing discussions on such medical considerations, including alternatives and exceptions. For instance, some Covid vaccinations had porcine ingredients, but Muslim jurists decided that as thousands of lives were at risk, so it was permissible to accept the vaccine as there were no alternatives available.
What if there is no suitable alternative?
It is a religious duty for Muslims who are ill to seek medical intervention. For instance, medicines may come in capsules containing ingredients derived from animals. Some people empty the capsule and take the powder, but that’s a bad idea because this may affect how the medicine is released and absorbed in the body. Patients should speak to their physicians about alternative options.
What if there is an emergency and no time to ask?
Shariah (Islamic law) says that if a doctor believes that the patient’s life is endangered, they can administer the medicine because the preservation of life takes precedence over the rules about what is haram or halal. If you have concerns about the constituents of medicines and whether they impact your faith, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Shared decision-making: respecting various patient beliefs during treatment
Dr Rani Khatib advocates for considering all individual patients’ needs during informed, shared decision-making, including considerations of medication sources and ingredients, to improve holistic care and medicines adherence.
What factors influence treatment decision-making?
Treatment decisions are influenced by a myriad of factors including personal beliefs, religious practices and dietary restrictions including intolerances. Understanding these factors is paramount in ensuring patients receive appropriate care tailored to individual needs.
Each person should be treated individually, with their views and preferences respected and considered before treatment. Adherence to practices with dietary restrictions, such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and veganism, are crucial considerations. The 2021 England and Wales census shows that 6.5% of the population may have Halal dietary restrictions.
What constituents should patients be aware of when considering their belief?
Medicines consist of the active ingredient (the therapeutic drug) and excipients. Excipients are additional ingredients, aiding delivery and long-term stabilisation or forming capsules and tablets. For some, the active ingredient might be permissible but one of the excipients is prohibited, which would affect treatment decision-making.
Are there alternatives or clinical exceptions?
Clinicians can address patient needs by educating them and exploring alternatives. If an excipient is unsuitable, there are often alternative formulations — with the same active ingredient. If the active ingredient is not acceptable, exploring different medications is an option.
In life-threatening situations, non-halal medication, for instance, may be necessary and acceptable when no alternatives exist.
How can clinicians empower patients in treatment decisions?
Each person should be treated individually, with their views and preferences respected and considered before treatment.
For instance, common ingredients like gelatine, shellac, lactose, lanolin and magnesium stearate are not suitable for many people with dietary restrictions. As clinicians, by engaging with patients upfront, we avoid situations where we prescribe medication and patients later discover, upon reading the leaflet, that there are ingredients they can’t consume, discouraging them from taking the medication.
How do religious beliefs impact treatment decisions? Even within certain religious groups, individuals may have varying beliefs. For instance, some Muslims may accept medicines with non-intoxicating alcohol while some require alcohol-free options.
Medications with bovine, ethanol or pig-derived ingredients may pose issues. Heparin and some types of insulin, used for blood clot prevention and diabetes respectively, may be unsuitable for Muslim patients, especially when alternatives are available.
Patients and clinicians should collaborate to obtain comprehensive information on medication constituents and preparation processes. This may involve consulting licensed product information, reaching out to manufacturers or utilising certification authorities such as the Halal Food Authority (HFA) for guidance on certified medications. Clinicians can provide information about products and their excipients based on available information. However, patients remain responsible for deciding whether their treatment adheres to their beliefs and dietary needs.
INTERVIEW WITH Dr Rani Khatib Consultant Pharmacist in Cardiology
WRITTEN BY Angelica O’Toole
INTERVIEW WITH Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra Member of MCB, Imam in Leicester
WRITTEN BY Linda Whitney
Navigating nutrition and acne through mental health and tailored treatment
For acne awareness month, consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto highlights how diet, lifestyle and mental health can affect acne — and why there’s more to it than what you eat.
The factors contributing to acne are complex. Nutrition, or diet, is just one of them. Genetics, hormones, skincare and mental health are just as important.
Nutrition moderation over restriction
“Dairy gets a bad rap,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist in London’s Harley Street. Yet, sugar and whey protein supplements are more troublesome. “Whey protein supplements have quite a different dairy content compared to a splash of milk in your coffee or cereal,” she adds.
Oat milk is a popular dairy alternative because it tastes better. “The problem is oat milk has a high glycaemic index. It spikes your blood sugar levels more than other plant-based milks,” she explains. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have sugar, stresses Dr Mahto. “There are no real foods that I would say are off limits. It’s about balance and moderation,” she says.
Holistic, patient-centred acne assessment
For instance, vitamin A reduces oil production, but it can also be teratogenic. “It will damage an unborn baby,” she warns.
“Crucially, I want to know about mental health,” she insists. “Acne is one of those conditions where we know there are significant mental health issues associated with it. Low self-esteem, poor body image — all of that comes part and parcel.”
Stress and mental health affect multiple skin conditions; acne is no exception. “Half the job is getting the skin to look good. The other half is getting people to feel good about their skin,” she adds.
Stress and mental health affect multiple skin conditions; acne is no exception.
Before even looking at a patient’s skin, Dr Mahto talks to them first. The duration and location of the acne, past treatments, triggers, underlying conditions, medications, supplements, dietary restrictions and, in women, menstrual cycles, menopause and pregnancy plans are all important.
MFinding the right acne treatment
Nutritional interventions, while promising, require caution due to the individual, personal factors affecting acne. “There are no superfoods for skin. It’s not about that. It’s about balance,” says Dr Mahto. “Look after your skin the way you would look after any other organ in your body.”
Personalised guidance from qualified dermatology and nutrition experts is essential. Many waste thousands of pounds trying the wrong treatments. “Rather than figure it out yourself, see your GP first. If you can, then go straight to a dermatologist or nutritionist. There’s a lot of conflicting information on the internet,” she concludes.
Pioneering melanoma research set to reduce worry and
follow-up appointments for patients
AMLo to develop an antibody test, AMBLor, that seeks out the presence of two protective proteins in the skin over melanoma. It informs doctors if a melanoma is at very low risk of spreading and who might need closer care.
A recently developed antibody test, AMBLor, can tell doctors whether a patient’s melanoma is at very low risk of spreading or in need of closer care.
elanoma is the most serious of all skin cancers, with 20,800 new diagnoses projected this year alone in the UK. It spreads (metastasises) very easily, so everyone with the condition is followed up and investigated thoroughly after the initial surgery to remove the tumour.
Melanoma research progress
The British Skin Foundation (BSF) first provided joint funding (with NIHR, Melanoma Focus and Newcastle University) for Professor Penny Lovat’s work in identifying two important protein biomarkers implicated in the formation of melanomas. The company, AMLo
Biosciences — co-founded with Dr Marie Labus — has gone from a Newcastle University spinout to an employer of over 20 people in the UK and USA.
Antibody test determines metastasis risk Melanoma is usually diagnosed early where the tumour has not yet metastasised. However, up to 20% of people with an early-stage tumour will still die from the condition; this group represents the most deaths from melanoma skin cancer. This was due to clinicians being unable to identify which patients required close monitoring and which ones could be relieved from frequent visits and tests. The work helped Professor Lovat and
People at low risk could be spared subsequent tests and follow-up appointments and suffer less worry about the potential cancer progress. In 2024, Professor Lovat, with Professor Jane Armstrong and 26 other experts across the world, published the final validation of this work in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Studying melanoma metastasis biomarkers
Moreover, the BSF has recently funded additional research under the management of Professor Lovat and Dr Ioana Cosgarea, working with Professor Jane Armstrong to look for biomarkers that might further stratify each melanoma according to the risk of metastasis. They recently published a poster at an international conference confirming the role of AMBRA1 protein in the tissue surrounding the tumour. The project has also yielded information about other important proteins that may be key to unlocking further information for doctors treating people with melanomas. This work has been made possible with BSF’s support.
WRITTEN BY Professor Penny Lovat Researcher, British Skin Foundation
WRITTEN BY Professor Jane Armstrong Researcher, British Skin Foundation
INTERVIEW WITH
Dr Anjali Mahto BSc MBBCh FRCP, Consultant Dermatologist
WRITTEN BY Angelica O’Toole
How the philosophy of ‘ecobiology’ can help treat patients with acne-prone skin
Ecobiology in skincare treatment centres around mimicking the skin’s natural biology to promote healthy, balanced skin. This can be an effective way to treat patients with acne.
Acne is surprisingly difficult to define, admits Dr Bernard Ho, Consultant Dermatologist at St George’s Hospital, London. From a medical standpoint, it’s not just the odd pimple or spot. Acne is a more complex condition where the skin becomes inflamed with multiple persistent pustules and papules, generally appearing on the face but can also present on the chest and back.
Acne treatment approaches and complexities
Taking
“The underlying cause of acne remains unknown,” says Dr Ho. “However, there are many hypotheses about the factors that contribute to it,
including hormonal changes, clogged pores, stress and genetics.”
What’s certain is that, depending on its severity, acne can have a scarring physical and emotional impact, so it’s important to treat it effectively.
“We classify patients as having mild, moderate or severe acne,” says Dr Ho. “How they respond to their condition very much depends on the individual. Some people can have lots of spots and scarring and remain psychologically unaffected. Others with fewer spots and scarring can be deeply impacted.”
Acne particularly affects teenagers and young adults, but it can occur in later life, too — and treatment is definitely not ‘one-size-fits-all’. “If acne is severe, we may prescribe systemic treatments such as antibiotics, vitamin
a pain-free approach to non-melanoma
A derivative tablets or hormonal therapies,” says Dr Ho. “If the condition is mild to moderate, overthe-counter options may be suitable.”
Ecobiology treatment for healthy skin recovery
Gemma Jones, Brand Trainer UK and Ireland at skincare company
Bioderma, highlights the principle of ‘ecobiology’ in over-the-counter skin treatments. Ecobiology combines the ecology and biology of the skin.
“This is the scientifical approach that the skin is a living ecosystem that is always interacting with its environment,” she explains. “If treatments help the skin adapt quickly to its environment and allow it to live according to its natural biology, it can recover and become healthy again.”
Biomimetic ingredients for skin balance
Part of the ecobiology philosophy is using products made with ‘biomimetic’ ingredients; they mimic natural constituents found in the skin. “When it’s young and healthy, the skin has everything it needs to protect and support itself,” says Jones. “Unfortunately, lifestyle factors, an incorrect skincare routine, exposure to the environment and the ageing process can throw things off balance. Targeting the biological causes of skin conditions with ingredients that mimic these natural constituents can give patients healthier skin over the long term.”
skin cancer treatment
Patients with invasive non-melanoma skin cancers have often had to endure painful surgery which can leave scars. However, a non-invasive, pain-free option is now available.
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) — which include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas — are worryingly common. Between 2007–2017, incidences increased by 33%, reaching 7.7 million cases worldwide. One in five people over 70 have been diagnosed with at least one NMSC.
Treating non-melanoma skin cancers
If found early enough, these types of skin cancers are very treatable. “In the main, NMSCs are not life-threatening as they only metastasise in rare cases — unlike melanomas, which can be highly virulent,” explains Prof Dr med. Julia Tietze, from the Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venerology at University Medical Centre, Rostock, Germany. “Nevertheless, invasive non-melanoma skin cancers are locally destructive and should be removed.”
“Plus, there is the pain of local anaesthesia injections. If further NMSCs are diagnosed, patients may be increasingly hesitant to take the surgical route.” Alternative treatment options are needed, particularly for tumours located on sensitive areas such as the nose, ears or lips.
However, a non-surgical, non-invasive epidermal radiotherapy is now available for NMSC patients. Unlike surgery, the treatment is quick and easy: the lesion is identified and covered with a clear plastic film; a radioactive Rhenium-188 paste is applied, which begins to target and kill cancer cells. After some time — usually between 45 minutes and 180 minutes — the film and paste are removed, and the patient is free to go home.
It’s highly effective, with complete tumour regression reported in 98.5% of lesions treated.
It may be possible to treat a superficial NMSC with a topical cream, but, usually, surgery is recommended for invasive tumours. Unfortunately, these cancers are often found in conspicuous locations such as the head and neck, making this intervention problematic.
Removing non-melanoma skin cancers without surgery
“The downside with surgery is that it can result in scarring or, in some cases, disfigurement,” says Prof Dr Tietze.
Non-surgical treatment efficacy and availability
Treatment can be completed in one session. It’s highly effective, with complete tumour regression reported in 98.5% of lesions treated. Currently, it’s only available privately in the UK, although NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has recently produced positive guidance on the therapy. Hopefully, it could be available on the NHS in the long term. “Many of my patients procrastinate about surgery because of the pain,” says Prof Dr Tietze. “However, this treatment is pain-free, effective and leaves no scarring — it’s a very good option for them.”
INTERVIEW WITH Dr Bernard Ho Consultant Dermatologist
INTERVIEW WITH Gemma Jones Brand Trainer, Bioderma UK and Ireland
INTERVIEW WITH
Prof Dr med.
Julia Tietze Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venerology, University Medical Centre, Rostock
WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
Why investing in psychodermatology research is a priority
WRITTEN BY Dr Eleanor Chatburn Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, University of East Anglia
Skin health significantly impacts people’s wider wellbeing. We must invest in more psychodermatology research, exploring the links between skin and mind to make a real difference in people’s lives.
The health and appearance of our skin are closely connected with our wider physical, psychological and social wellbeing. In a new survey conducted by the Skin Health Alliance, 88% of people reported that they felt self-conscious about their skin.
A further 64% said that their skin has impacted their confidence in a work or social setting. The survey respondents were clear: the impact of skin goes much further than skin deep.
Psychodermatology explores skin-mind connection
The field of psychodermatology research, which aims to understand the links between the skin and the mind, has grown rapidly in recent years. We now have good evidence that people living with a chronic skin condition or disease are at higher risk of developing a range of body image and mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Furthermore, emerging research suggests that there may be a ‘brain-skin axis’ through which psychological stress is translated from the brain to the skin and back again. This
Why you shouldn’t take an ‘out of sight’ approach to your scalp health
Don’t neglect the health of your scalp, says Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong. You should treat it with the seriousness that you treat the rest of your skincare routine.
Mbi-directional link could explain the stress-flare cycle in inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Collaborative research needed with new funding
This body of research shows great promise, but we have a long way to go in improving outcomes for people.
This body of research shows great promise, but we have a long way to go in improving outcomes for people. For example, we urgently need research into the potential of pharmaceutical treatments to break the stress-flare cycle as well as the best way to provide psychosocial support to people who are distressed about their skin. It is vital that clinicians, academics, industry partners and patient charities work together to expand the breadth and depth of psychodermatology research.
Scientific funding opportunities in this field have been limited until now, so it is exciting to see that the Skin Health Alliance has donated £200,000 to the British Skin Foundation with a significant portion earmarked for a psychodermatology research grant. This grant is currently open for applications, with further information available from the British Skin Foundation website.
ore of us realise the importance of skin health these days. Yet, it’s easy to neglect the skin on our scalp. “There’s been an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to scalp health,” insists Dr Sharon Wong, Consultant Dermatologist. “But I think that’s changing, and it should because — just like the rest of our skin — the scalp can be affected by skin ageing, sun damage and skin cancer. Plus, scalp health governs hair health.”
Factors causing scalp health disruption
‘External aggressors’ — including extreme heat and cold, environmental pollution and oily and waxy hair
ImageprovidedbyVich
styling products — can disrupt the harmony of the scalp microbiome (ecosystem of microorganisms that naturally live on the scalp). Skin can become dry, itchy and flaky. “Internal aggressors, such as hormonal changes and stress, can also affect scalp health,” says Dr Wong.
The most common scalp condition that Dr Wong sees in her clinic is seborrheic dermatitis, a form of scalp eczema which, at the mild end of the spectrum, presents as visible flakes of dandruff. “Patients tend to have the moderate and severe form where the skin is inflamed and uncomfortable,” she says. “Symptoms include itching, burning or disconcerting crawling sensations. It can disturb sleep and
focus. In extreme cases, patients can feel extremely self-conscious and experience a level of social withdrawal.”
Making scalp health part of regular skincare routine
Alongside medical treatments, Dr Wong may suggest cosmetic products, such as Dercos AntiDandruff Shampoo by Vichy, which is recommended by dermatologists. “The ingredient selenium disulfide can reduce the amount of yeast on the scalp while salicylic acid has a descaling property,” she says. “What a lot of people don’t realise is that common conditions like dandruff come and go. So, even when you’re flake-free, you should continue with maintenance to try and prevent relapsing.”
“If you’re concerned that you have a scalp health issue, your first port of call should be your GP,” says Dr Wong. “If your condition worsens or you still experience symptoms, see a dermatologist.”
Holistic hair skinification approach Plus, take a tip from health-aware consumers who are switched on to an emerging trend known as the ‘skinification’ of hair. “Essentially, this means they want to learn more about the steps they can take and the products they should be using to achieve ultimate scalp health,” says Dr Wong. “Just as they do for the rest of their skincare routine.”
INTERVIEW WITH
Dr Sharon Wong Consultant Dermatologist
WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway
Skincare science, skin ageing and sun damage explained by a dermatologist
Renowned dermatologists use science-backed skincare to promote skin longevity — and here’s how you can benefit from it.
Like most dermatologists, when I started my career, my standard skincare advice was simple: moisturise and wear sunscreen. However, the science around topical skincare has progressed immensely in the last 10–15 years, proving the undoubted efficacy of various skincare ingredients.
Skin science and skin ageing expertise
As an honorary lecturer in skin ageing, I’ve worked with some of the world’s most renowned skin ageing researchers — Prof Rachel Watson, Prof Mike Sheratt, Prof Chris Griffiths — who are unlocking impressive scientific benefits of skincare ingredients. This, coupled with my specialism in skin cancer management, led to insights into reversing UV damage and promoting skin longevity.
UV impact on skin longevity
Longevity science is progressing. We need to invest in our health now to remain healthy in later life — and it’s the same for your skin. Skin longevity introduces various practices to help our skin look and feel as healthy as possible for as long as possible. No quick fixes or fads; rather sciencebacked, easy-to-maintain principles.
A staggering 80% of skin ageing is a build-up of cellular damage caused by chronic UV exposure. This happens because UVA and UVB rays disrupt many cellular processes in the skin, causing inflammation, DNA damage and altering the immune function of our skin. Damage that accumulates can lead to pre-cancer and cancer — with rates on the rise. Over 224,000 skin cancers were diagnosed in 2019, an increase of over a quarter compared to 2013.1
Yes, some are blessed with genetically great skin (intrinsic ageing), but that’s not the case for most of us. There are many extrinsic factors contributing to ageing acceleration. The main culprits are ultraviolet radiation from the sun and our environmental exposures.
Practising lifelong skin habits
When advising patients on skincare routines, I encourage healthy, lifelong habits. Practise good sun protection (don’t seek a tan, wear daily sunscreen and sit in the shade where you can); maintain a healthy, varied diet; and maintain a consistent skincare routine.
That’s not to say you can’t enjoy the outdoors. Despite understanding UV damage, we encourage an outdoor lifestyle as it’s linked with good physical and mental health, wellbeing and longevity. Naturally, as we age, our skin’s ability to self-repair declines.
There are now myriads of skincare actives (non-prescription and prescription only) that can both protect and repair ageing and sundamaged skin but understanding these and incorporating them into a routine to suit your skin is complex. The future of skincare longevity is personalised products, delivered in easy-to-follow routines, with progress mapped by dermatologists.
Reference 1. https://academic.oup.com/bjd article/188/6/ 777/7051650 - MS
WRITTEN BY
Dr Clare Kiely
MBBChBAO MRCPI
MSc (Skin Ageing), Co-Founder, The Skin Diary
The tech-infused transformation that’s reshaping skincare routines
Learn how brands are transforming skincare with digital innovation. Enhance your beauty routine with personalised products and tailored technology.
Bshopping experience. By blending the physical and digital worlds, beauty tech leaders forge deep, lasting connections with customers.
High-tech solutions for acne-free skin
y adopting a unique skincare philosophy, brands can enhance their digital presence and consumer engagement. This approach enables brands to differentiate themselves from competitors, capturing the attention of niche markets and broad audiences alike. It also facilitates brand-aligned storytelling, integrating core values into communication channels and offering tailored product configurations and customised skin assessments.
Reimagining skincare: the tech transformation
Imagine a world where your skincare routine is as personalised and dynamic as the technology you use daily. The skincare industry is undergoing a seismic shift, combining the sensory richness of in-store consultations with the limitless capabilities of digital innovation.
This transformation reshapes how we perceive and treat skin concerns.
Consumers now navigate multiple touchpoints to discover products that truly meet their needs, starting online with personalised routines or testing products in-store. Blending digital ease with hands-on experience, brands can ensure a seamless and enjoyable skincare journey.
Synergy of omnichannel skincare Advanced tools like GenAI and data analytics enable beauty advisors to offer spot-on, personalised advice, boosting consumer confidence in every choice. Today’s shoppers crave a unified experience, and technologies such as QR codes, smart mirrors and digital displays transform the customer journey into an interactive adventure.
This integration weaves the brand’s story and values into every step, creating a cohesive and engaging
One area where this technology excels is in acne treatment. Acne is a major concern for many, with millions searching for solutions online each month. Revieve’s collaboration with The Inkey List has developed the Acne Analyzer Pro, which uses sophisticated algorithms to analyse skin conditions and recommend tailored treatments.
This technology provides personalised advice and helps effectively treat acne without needing to visit a store. The omnichannel approach is a game-changer for skincare shopping — personal, engaging and highly effective.
The horizon of skincare innovation
The fusion of technology and skincare is not just a trend but a revolution, promising personalised and effective skin health solutions. Innovations like generative AI and virtual tryon experiences are set to further revolutionise the industry. By combining in-store expertise with advanced online tools, brands can offer a comprehensive and seamless customer experience. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for innovation in skincare are boundless, promising a future where everyone can achieve optimal skin health with ease.
WRITTEN BY Vitalia Vasilkova
Head of PR and Comms, Revieve
WRITTEN BY
Irina Mazur Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Revieve