Personalized Medicine: Can We Really Achieve This in Dermatology?

In the field of dermatology, there are promising opportunities for expansion beyond our valuable capabilities in pattern recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. To tailor a therapeutic regimen after due consultation with the patient, keeping in mind his/her specific wants and needs rather than running through an algorithm, is not Personalized Medicine, rather is just good Medicine! Giving more agency to the patients in a shared decision-making process is informed consent. The term “Personalized Medicine (PM),” as used in this essay, refers to the specific customization of healthcare using molecular analysis to influence medical decisions, practices, and therapies for the individual patient.