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Two dermatologists admit that their businesses were affected by the pandemic. How are they coping so far under the “new normal?” We find out.

Like most industries, dermatological and aesthetic clinics have faced new challenges in bringing a sense of normalcy in the beauty industry as clients continue to worry about being infected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

That's why dermatologists like Dr. Jean Marquez F.P.D.S. of DARE Clinic and Dr. Grace Beltran of St. Luke's Medical Center are bending over backward to make things work under the new normal.

The lockdown

According to Dr. Marquez, her clinic was already anticipating a pandemic before President Duterte began putting the whole island of Luzon under community quarantine in mid-March.

To put her staff at ease, she began lecturing them about the virus and what it can do to the body as early as late January

“I lectured and educated my staff on COVID kasi during that time there was not enough information so we were carefully monitoring the situation,” she said.

To prepare for the challenges ahead, they quickly mobilized their plans in providing online consultations and at-home services for patients.

“Since we were anticipating that there could be possibly no clinics, we thought of selling products online and doing at-home services --- both of which we were planning last year pa.

“At the height of the pandemic, we were doing free consultation for our patients and of course we wanted to do our part to the community by giving out some PPEs to help in our way.”

Dr. Jean Marquez shooting for Pinoy MD / Source: drjeanm (IG)

Dr. Beltran, on the other hand, had to close two of her hospital clinics in BGC and Quezon City because of the lockdown.

Thankfully, her private clinic based in Caloocan was able to thrive and continued to provide services to her regular patients.

She added, “Sa private clinic kasi there are no restrictions pero 'pag sa hospitals when they say lockdown, everybody can't come to the clinic.

“I waited for months for us to return. Kahit nung June, hindi pa rin ako nagki-clinic doon kasi walang pasyente ang gustong pumunta sa clinic na nasa hospital.

“Kasi pag-hospital-based takot sila kasi may COVID patients doon and they prefer to go outside the hospital.”

Both doctors aired that the temporary closure of their clinics resulted in funds getting depleted. Not to mention, the outgoing expenses from space rentals burned their contingency funds fast.

Dr. Beltran shared, “'Yun ang masaklap doon. Doon sa isang clinic ko, once lang ako pumunta but I had to pay the whole month and the same goes for this month.”

What's good to note is that both doctors were able to sustain their staff -- a feat for their small businesses -- considering a lot of clinics closed down during the lockdown.

“'Yun talaga 'yung prayer ko, is to not cut down on staff because that would be so sad to do that.

“Kasi hindi naman kami ganun kalaking company but we're at least 20 na staff so hindi kami nag cut.” Dr. Marquez proudly said.

Dr. Grace Beltran in action / Source: drgracebeltran (FB)

The clients

Since suspending their operations, the two doctors had to think of ways to innovate in providing services to their clients, including check-ups online.

Hospitals and clinics sectors, including dermatological ones, were only allowed to operate under the general community quarantine that started early June.

Dr. Marquez and Dr. Beltran note that measures to protect people from the deadly virus come at the cost of the health of their skin including face masks causing breakouts due to irritation. Add to the fact that due to these stressful times have led to a landslide of inquiries in battling acne and severe hair loss.

Dr. Beltran said, “Acne, ang dami ngayon.

“Well, maybe ang stressful kasi lalo na with the wearing of masks so siguro maraming mask acne ang nade-develop.

Dr. Marquez added, “It's most probably because of the stress and also the food that they eat because they're not eating healthy.

“A lot of people are very limited with the choices they have so they prefer to order unhealthy food.”

During the hour-long conversation with the two doctors, they openly discussed how their clinics are adjusting to the new normal as they begin to operate at a reduced capacity.

“We're now seeing 15 to 20 patients a day,” said Dr. Marquez.

“But we're trying to space them out evenly kasi our clinic naman has lots of rooms so we tried to give enough time to prepare and disinfect the room before admitting another patient.”

DARE Clinic placed a strict health protocol for clients to follow before coming in the clinic / Source: dare.clinic (IG)

Aside from the even distribution of rooms and patients, Dr. Marquez shared that they've made sure to have as minimal contact with the patient as possible.

“We want to assume that we probably have it and the patient has it. Ganun kami ka-OC,” she said.

The DARE resident dermatologist then gave a walkthrough of how they do things in her clinic including putting several acrylic barriers in the reception, markers for social distancing, alcohol dispensers scattered in the area, and a thermal scanner by the entrance instead of a thermometer gun.

For the patients, they must fill a form a day before the consultation and they have an option to pay the services in advance to assure minimal contact.

She added, “Para when they get in, they don't go to the consultation room but go straight to their room.

“They don't need to stay in the waiting area. They go to their rooms. Tapos 'pag nandun na, diretso na sila ng treatment.”

All that including a full set of PPEs for her nurses and staff and a procedural face shield during the actual treatment.

Once a procedure is done, Dr. Marquez said that they thoroughly sanitize each room by using a UV light and disinfectant sprays.

“Kasi we have a lot of rooms, ina-alternate namin para hindi sila dikit-dikit at may space in between pa kahit na fully enclosed 'yung rooms.

“We have a gap, a one hour gap before using the rooms cause we need to disinfect it thoroughly,” she added.

Dr. Beltran follows the same set of protocols in her private clinic but on a smaller scale since she has very limited staff with her.

“I have the gun thermometer, alcohols, and foot mats

“I also got my PPEs which I usually wear in my clinic whenever I have a procedure and I usually wear double to triple masks. First I put on this cloth mask kasi nakakaiirritate itong disposable masks, e.

“I also use a longer face shield that is made of acrylic para 'yung penetration impossible.

“Mag-iingat ka rin kasi it's a very delicate thing, this virus. I have to remember all these things… what to touch, what not to touch, what to wash when touched, and to wash my hands after every touch,” she said.

Dr. Grace Beltran wears her full face shield and mask inside the clinic / Source: Dr. Grace Carole Beltran

Online consultations played a huge role in health care during the pandemic, but Dr. Marquez and Dr. Beltran agree that the nature of their field can make some things a bit complicated.

“Ang dermatology kasi is very visual,” declared Dr. Beltran.

“Ang problema lang diyan sa online, ang mga pasyente pira-piraso lang ang ipapakita kaya 'pag tinanong ko kung meron pang iba biglang marami pa pala.”

Dr. Marquez also aired the same concern with her patients but added that there are so many factors that sometimes make online consultations a disadvantage.

She said, “Dermatology is very reliant on photos. We have to see closely the lesions on the skin.

“That's why before the consultation we have an instruction on how to take photos but it's not always good. Alam mo 'yun? Minsan depende sa camera nila na kahit they take the right angles mahirap pa rin.

“Also, not all patients are techy. That's why we have to teach some patients the day prior on how to do it and the internet connection minsan paputol-putol lalo na sa probinsya.”

For now, Dr. Marquez has retained all her employees who work in shifts during their 4-day work week.

Meanwhile, Dr. Beltran continues her operations at her private clinic limiting her patients at a maximum of 10, on a good day.

Dr. Jean Marquez on a video call / Source: dare.clinic (IG)

Learnings

Both doctors are hopeful of regaining back their businesses in full force but for now, the strategy for providing service amid a pandemic means having to add safety measures to alleviate the worry of their patients.

Dr. Marquez and Dr. Beltran assure both their patients and their employees can still be safe while receiving indulgence in their many services as an aesthetic and dermatological clinic.

According to the two, their usual services still stand and at the same rate.

“We did not cut down on service but we did notice that some services are not in demand now.

“You'd be surprised that I still have patients who get fillers and botox,” Dr. Marquez said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Beltran added, “For 27 years, everything is the same ang price ko so ang hirap mag-cope up kasi I have to buy something new for everyone.

“Dun sa isa kong clinic ako na siguro ang pinakamurang doctor sa floor na 'yun. I haven't changed my prices at all.

While both dermatologists are trying to get by with what they can do with the situation, both Dr. Marquez and Dr. Beltran are hopeful for a brighter future for their industry.

Dr. Marquez acknowledged, “I'm part of the Philippine Dermatological Society so the aesthetic business is there, I believe that it's there for good.

“But the necessity in dealing with skin diseases is more important. So it's an advantage for dermatologists to know how to treat skin disease kasi they are here to stay.

“I've also been practicing Functional Dermatology so I'm quite acquainted with how the skin in connection with our body.

“My take from this is to go forward and be more knowledgeable in that field -- the skin concerning the health of the body. Especially with how COVID has a manifestation on the skin. Everything is a manifestation of the body. So as a dermatologist 'di lang dapat pampa-beauty dapat health din.

“I'm hopeful that we will bounce back but I don't know how long that would take. But for now, we just have to be thankful that we're all safe and we can provide food on the table.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Beltran said, “Well, COVID-19 has taught us humility, patience, and compassion towards other people.

“Economically speaking, siguro matagal-tagal pa talaga before we can bounce back.

“We just have to thank God for all the blessings you have received, even the smallest things like the fact that you don't have COVID-19.”