Supply and Demand in Dermatology

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A Dermatologist is a medical doctor that treats a wide variety of conditions that affect the skin, hair and nails. As with any business there are many decisions that must be made by both the doctor and patients in a dermatological office. I have worked in a dermatologic office for about three years and have been a patient in the past. Having both been an employee and a patient, I have dealt with a lot of factors that influence both the supply and demand of dermatologic care.
The demand for dermatological care is relatively inelastic, people generally do not forgo care when they need it even when the price increases. However there are many different factors that can have an effect on demand. As with most things the marginal utility quickly decreases, most people don't need to go to a dermatologist once a month or even every six months.
One reason that demand in dermatology is relatively inelastic is insurance. The majority of patients we see carry some form of medical insurance usually purchased through their employer. Health insurance helps offset the cost of medical care although coverage varies greatly. Some insurance plans will have a deductible which is an agreed upon amount that the patient must pay before their insurance will pay. Patients with a high deductible are more likely to think twice about coming to the dermatologist for simple concerns. However when the patient comes in for their appointment they usually will only have to make a copayment which is generally between thirty and fifty dollars for a specialist(health). Having to only pay a small amount up front in order to be seen by the doctor makes the services more accessible to patients.
The different seasons can have an effect on demand. During summer month...

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...deal with many different factors that impact supply and demand. Through the individual choices that each patient and each doctor make a practice can thrive or fall short of success.

Works Cited
"Health Insurance Costs, Premiums, Deductibles, Co-Pays & Co-Insurance." Debtorg News. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
Jena, Anupam B., Seth Seabury, Darius Lakdawalla, and Amitabh Chandra. "Abstract." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Aug. 2011. Web. 01 May 2014.
"Photodynamic Therapy." Photodynamic Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
"Skin Cancer Facts." Skin Cancer Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
"Want to Be a Dermatologist? Persistence Pays in Highly Competitive, Lucrative Field." The DO Want to Be a Dermatologist Persistence Pays in Highly Competitive Lucrative Field Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.

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