Renata Block, MMS, PA-C

The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in clinical practice for 

 is an evolving discussion, with clinicians sharing different viewpoints on AI’s potential.

The topic was covered in a session featured at the 

2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference

 The session, titled ‘AI Utilization and Management Tools for Dermatology,’ was discussed with 

 by its presenter, Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, a physician associate (PA) and instructor at Rush University.

How to Better Use AI and Machine Learning in Dermatology, With Renata Block, MMS, PA-C

“I think if you become savvy in understanding the process of how it's developed, what it's intended to do, then you're going to know, ‘This is not going to replace me, but it is going to help augment my decision-making process in the clinic,’” Block explained. “The goal of AI is to really create an optimal workflow in the clinic.”

Block touched on several key points from her talk on AI, including ways in which it is being implemented in clinical practice settings.

“You have to know the intended use of the device, and first and foremost, you have to use your brain,” Block said. “As a clinician, you have to rely on the standard of care in regards to using your dermatoscope, relying on the history, and then utilizing these tools as an objective lens to help you with that decision-making process, whether you're going to leave that lesion alone or you're going to triage it or biopsy it. That will help make that decision for you, but in the end, you're the clinician with the ultimate decision.”

Later in her discussion, Block spoke about what she hopes PAs and clinicians in general walk away with after viewing her talk at SDPA.

“What I want people to walk away with when they hear my lecture is really getting a foundational understanding of how AI can be integrated into our workflow and how they could utilize it to provide the best patient care,” Block said. “And also, to understand the regulatory processes and make sure they are relying on a tool that is FDA-approved, that has been gone through rigorous research, and the guardrails that are up to ensure that they are not using a product that is going to harm the patient.”

Additional information on topics in dermatology presented at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference can be found on the 

In this summary of Block’s interview, the quotes used were edited for clarity.

Block had no relevant financial disclosures of note.

Partridge B, Gillespie N, Janda M, et al. Exploring the Views of Dermatologists, General Practitioners, and Melanographers on the Use of AI Tools in the Context of Good Decision-Making When Detecting Melanoma: Qualitative Interview Study. JMIR Dermatol. 2025 Mar 24;8:e63923. 

Block R. AI Utilization and Management Tools for Dermatology. Presented at the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference, November 5-9, San Antonio, TX.

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Renata Block spoke at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference about her session on the use of artificial intelligence tools in clinical practice.

An expert in dermatology reviews the phase 3 SUNSHINE and SUNRISE trials evaluating the use of secukinumab given in 2-week intervals in patients with HS and shares clinical pearls for managing  the condition.

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An expert in dermatology highlights emerging biologic therapy for the management of HS.

Emerging Agents for the Management of HS

HS is a multifactorial disease that includes immunological factors. The fact that we are recognizing biologic therapy as a potential relief for these HS [hidradenitis suppurativa] patients and the first FDA-approved therapy, adalimumab, with the anti-TNF [tumor necrosis factor], is definitely making an impact. But knowing that this is the only thing that’s FDA approved is frustrating because we want to get other things covered. The data and the research is going to allow us to do that. I have experience with that one specifically, but not infliximab. With that being said, I had patients on adalimumab before it was FDA approved, and it was a game changer. It was such an exciting time because there was really nothing else out there, but what I see happening is that patients are doing well, if they’re caught early in the disease. If they are a little bit more advanced in the disease, I’ve had a lot of nonresponders, which, as a practitioner, it is disheartening because you have so much hope for the patient, and the patient has hope as well. I have had a secondary-loss response like that, one patient who was started before it was FDA approved. She did really, really well, and then we kind of peaked, and then it was stagnant. Then we’re starting all over again in regard to what was happening with her HS before she even started treatment. I know that the pipeline is getting robust in regard to the research of other immunological therapies out there. As a practitioner, it’s an exciting time for us that we can offer our patients promising drugs. It’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all treatment, and it never is, but having more options is going to be a game changer for us and the patient.

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, comments on the use of biologic agents as part of immunomodulatory therapy for HS treatment.

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C

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