Maintaining a competitive advantage over other aesthetic practices is a never-ending battle. We asked 4 experts in various fields to weigh in on what they predict will be “the next big thing” for aesthetics in 2019.
Kyoko Crawford
CEO
SkinIO
One of the more widely discussed technological enablements in all other aspects of our lives that will continue to evolve and mature for healthcare is AI, specifically as a tool for clinical support. For visual specialties in particular, the ability to pair computer vision with advanced AI models that are specifically trained to quantify, track, and identify health conditions will continue to become part of the clinical workflow.
The more successful and strategic implementations of clinical AI will be in a supporting role to the clinician – to render clinical decision-making more efficient and precise, monitor patient conditions remotely, and educate patients more effectively and personally.
Jason Martin, M.D.
CEO
MD Media Experience
I think for aesthetics, dynamic 360 degree videos that show a patient before and after treatment, will become much more common for digital and SMM. Visually, it gives the viewer a powerful understanding of the 3D change from the treatment or procedure and it is also extremely engaging. This will require the providers to convert their antiquated photo rooms into more dynamic multimedia rooms.
Fortunately, with the advances in cell phone camera technology, minimal investment will be required. It will just take a little practice with video capturing and some basic video editing knowledge.
Jeff Mann
Director of Business Development
Ingage IO
How much of what you say to your patients do they remember by the time they get to the car and drive away? Physicians looking for new ways of connecting with their patients are turning to many different forms of digital means to convey critical follow-up details (home treatments, remedies and action steps.)
The ultimate goal of providing the best information before the visit, in the office, and post care can be achieved with better tools to educate and maintain an ongoing communication with your patients. With this, we are seeing a major trend away from the tri-fold paper brochure and towards digital tools to, with ease, produce interactive, personalized and effective communications with patients on their care and treatment options.
Kyle Peacy
CEO
Digital Limelight Media
From a marketing perspective, the power of segmentation regarding advertising and promotional efforts is still an untapped advantage that not enough aesthetic practices are leveraging. To do this, plastic surgery practices and med spas are beginning to approach their patients from more of a business B2B perspective, using various trends and insights to create segmented lists for more personalized tactics.
An increased motivation to better understand the ROI of paid lead generation efforts is another trend that we have observed more and more within our customer base. Investing in a CRM or PRM software that uses automation to simplify the adoption of it within a practice.
