Medical dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the skin, nail, and hair and its diseases. Cosmetic dermatology is a specialized field of dermatology that focuses on procedures that improve appearance of the skin, particularly on the face and neck. We’ll look at applications of Lean and Six Sigma in dermatology and finish with a video of a day in the life of a dermatologist.

Lean and Six Sigma Applied to Dermatology Practice

In a paper titled “Applying Lean and Six Sigma to Your Dermatology Practice” authors Jerry Rice and Kathleen Haycraft discuss the application of Lean and Six Sigma in dermatology.

The paper includes:

  • Data for a Single Step in a Value Stream Map for Diagnostic Testing: Test Requisitioning
  • Examples of Waste in the Lean Model: Diagnostic Testing Process
  • Diagnostic Test Value Stream Map
  • DMAIC for Coding Problems

You can read the paper here.

Applying Lean Six Sigma in a Hospital Dermatology Clinic

In a Bachelor’s degree graduation project presentation titled “Lean Six Sigma in Dermatology Clinic at JUH (Jordan University Hospital)” author Rawan Habib introduces a special focus on increasing patients' satisfaction by applying the DMAIC approach.

The presentation includes:

  • Dermatology Clinic Process Map
  • SIPOC
  • CTQ Tree for Patient Satisfaction
  • Project Charter
  • Data Collection for Examination Process, Pharmacy, and Accounting
  • Detailed Process Map Using Data Collected
  • Value-Added and Non-Value Added Steps
  • Clinic Layout
  • Detailed Results of Survey Questionnaire
  • Waiting Time vs Customer Satisfaction Graph
  • Verification and Validation of Simulation Model
  • Cause and Effect Diagram for High Cycle Time
  • Spaghetti Diagram
  • Design of Experiments Factors Affecting Improvements
  • DOE Minitab Results
  • Simulation Results of Proposed Improvements
  • Benchmarking Against King Abdullah University Hospital
  • 5S Applied to Pharmacy Layout
  • Further Recommended Improvements
    • Visual Controls
    • Standardized Work Methods
    • Cross-Training
  • Project Limitations and Obstacles

Scroll through the presentation using the following link and the > button at the bottom of the presentation window.

Using the Lean Six Sigma Model in the DMAIC Framework to Reduce Waiting Time

In a master’s thesis titled “Reduce the Waiting Time for New Referrals in a Private Dermatology Clinic” author Sandy Luc discusses how applying the Lean Six Sigma Model with the use of the DMAIC framework and quality improvement tools assisted with the development of the project to reduce waiting time.

The thesis includes:

  • Stakeholder Analysis
  • Process Flow Map
  • Project Aim with Primary and Secondary Drivers
  • Data Initially Sought vs. Data Actually Gathered
  • Number of Days Patients Waited for Clinic
  • Fishbone Diagram for Long Waiting Times
  • Revised Process Flow Map

To access the thesis, use the following link and select Download to download a copy of the thesis.

A Day in the Life of a Dermatologist

Dr. Simona Bartos, Dermatologist, takes us through her day in this video from Imperial Dermatology.

You can watch the video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeVDz5ke8a4