The Distinctive Dermatologist

Scott McKain
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

For dermatologists and those associated with their practice who want to deliver an Ultimate Customer Experience® for their patients to expand retention and referrals. We'll look at how you grow your bottom line while providing higher-quality patient experiences.

  1. The Invisible Patient — How Practices Lose Trust Without Ever Knowing It

    5D AGO

    The Invisible Patient — How Practices Lose Trust Without Ever Knowing It

    This episode is about what may represent the greatest hidden risk to trust, loyalty, and long-term growth in a dermatology practice. They are the invisible patients. They don't want conflict. They don't want to feel confrontational. And they don't want to challenge a medical professional. So instead, they do what feels easiest. They leave quietly. And when that happens, the practice often assumes everything is fine — because nothing ever surfaced. That's the danger. This episode is sponsored by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, whose work centers on expanding awareness of treatment options for appropriate cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. Their support reflects an important principle behind today's message: patients don't disappear because they're difficult — they disappear when trust quietly erodes. And trust is built through transparency, clarity, and complete conversations.

    8 min
  2. The Responsibility of Choice — Why Ethical Conversations Matter More Than Ever in Dermatology

    FEB 10

    The Responsibility of Choice — Why Ethical Conversations Matter More Than Ever in Dermatology

    This episode is a little different. It's about choice. Let's be very clear from the start: this conversation is not about second-guessing clinical judgment. It's not about telling dermatologists what they should recommend. And it's certainly not about criticizing any particular treatment approach. More specifically, it's about the responsibility dermatology practices have to ensure patients understand they have choices — even when the physician has a strong recommendation. And it's about what can happen when patients later discover they were never told there were options.  As always, this podcast is sponsored by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, whose work is centered on expanding patient awareness of options for cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. Their support of this program reflects an important principle behind today's conversation: patients always deserve to know their options.

    9 min
  3. When Things Go Wrong — How Distinctive Practices Prevent Breakdowns and Recover Trust

    FEB 3

    When Things Go Wrong — How Distinctive Practices Prevent Breakdowns and Recover Trust

    This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist is about a reality that every dermatology practice faces — even the best ones. At some point, something goes wrong. This is not about treatment outcomes or clinical decisions. It's about the patient experience. Here is what you need to know and the steps you must take when miscommunication happens, or the patient is left wondering if your practice truly cares about them. A special thank you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects today's message exactly: The ultimate experience isn't defined by the absence of problems. It's defined by how quickly and confidently you restore trust when something goes wrong.

    10 min
  4. The Promise Principle — Why Keeping Your Word Is the Most Underrated Growth Strategy in Dermatology

    JAN 27

    The Promise Principle — Why Keeping Your Word Is the Most Underrated Growth Strategy in Dermatology

    Here is an issue that seems so basic, so obvious, that most leaders don't even think about it as a strategy. But it might be one of the most powerful forces shaping whether your practice keeps patients… and keeps employees. It's this: Keeping your word. I call it The Promise Principle. Because in dermatology — just like in every other business — trust isn't built by what you say. Trust is built by what you do. And more specifically… trust is built by what you do consistently. A special thank you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping dermatology practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects today's message: distinction isn't only built on outcomes. It's built on trust. And trust is built when leaders keep their word — with everyone you encounter.

    9 min
  5. The Most Overlooked Role Driving Your Dermatology Practice

    JAN 21

    The Most Overlooked Role Driving Your Dermatology Practice

    Your front desk might be costing you patients—and profit—without you even realizing it! In this encore episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain reframes your receptionist as the Senior Vice President of First Impressions, and shows how that single role can make or break patient satisfaction, reviews, referrals, and retention.   You'll discover why minimal training and high turnover at the front desk quietly erode loyalty, and how a few intentional changes in hiring, development, and expectations can transform your reception team into a powerful growth engine for your practice. If you want happier patients, better reviews, and a more profitable dermatology clinic—before they ever see the provider—this short episode will give you practical, immediately usable ideas you can take back to your team today. A special thank-you to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring this episode and for embodying the same commitment to first impressions and patient experience that we're championing for your front desk team.  With a 99+ percent cure rate, 99+ percent patient satisfaction, and more than 100,000 patients treated at over 400 leading practices, GentleCure shows how the right approach can instill confidence from the very first interaction.  GentleCure helps practices deliver a more distinctive, patient-centered experience from the moment a patient walks through the door. (You'll also note the success of GentleCure -- the number of patients treated has doubled, and there has been substantial growth in the number of practice partners since this episode first released.)

    6 min
  6. The Loyalty Opportunity — Why Practices Should Deepen Relationships, Not Just Expand Volume

    JAN 13

    The Loyalty Opportunity — Why Practices Should Deepen Relationships, Not Just Expand Volume

    This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist focuses on the defining advantage for dermatology practices moving forward. It's not going to be volume. It's not going to be speed. It's not going to be who sees the most patients or runs the tightest schedule. The practices that will thrive in 2026 — and beyond — will be the ones that intentionally deepen relationships, not just expand volume. As you look toward the coming weeks of 2026, the question shouldn't be: "How do we get busier?" The better question is: "How do we become indispensable to the patients we already serve?" Thank you, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects today's message perfectly — because long-term success is about offering care in a way that builds confidence, trust, and enduring relationships.

    7 min
  7. The Reset Conversation — One Question Every Practice Should Ask To Start the New Year

    JAN 6

    The Reset Conversation — One Question Every Practice Should Ask To Start the New Year

    Now that the New Year has just begun, many dermatology practices are already back in full motion. However, in the middle of that momentum, there is another conversation that is just as important… and often overlooked. It isn't about revenue. It isn't about volume. It isn't even about efficiency. It's about who you are becoming as a practice — beginning right now. This episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist is about the question reframes the year from the beginning. It's the one that launches The Reset Conversation. Thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® reflects the same conviction behind today's message: that great care is not only clinical — it is intentional, relational, and grounded in purpose.

    8 min
  8. From Busy to Intentional — Resetting Your Practice for a Distinctive New Year

    12/30/2025

    From Busy to Intentional — Resetting Your Practice for a Distinctive New Year

    As we close out another year, this episode isn't about productivity tips, growth hacks, or pushing harder into the next twelve months. Instead, it's about something deeper — something seen in practices all across the country, and something many teams quietly feel but rarely pause long enough to acknowledge. It's the difference between being busy… and being intentional. For many dermatology practices, the past year has been full.  And when a practice gets busy — especially for long stretches of time — something subtle starts to happen. Busyness begins to replace purpose. We'll tackle that problem at the perfect time -- the end of the year -- on this episode. Thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist this year. Their commitment to helping practices deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience® is more than a program or partnership — it reflects a deeper belief that when we care intentionally, outcomes improve, trust strengthens, and practices thrive.

    7 min
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For dermatologists and those associated with their practice who want to deliver an Ultimate Customer Experience® for their patients to expand retention and referrals. We'll look at how you grow your bottom line while providing higher-quality patient experiences.

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