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This podcast presents a reenacted consultation based on a real-world integrative dermatology case featuring a patient with acne, led by IDCP alumna Sonal Choudhary, MD. Listeners are guided through a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to acne management as the dynamic clinician–patient interaction unfolds. The episode highlights how diet, stress, hormones, gut health, skincare routines, and conventional dermatologic considerations can be integrated to create a personalized treatment plan. Through this walkthrough, listeners gain insight into clinical reasoning, communication strategies, and practical decision-making that can be directly applied in clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key biopsychosocial factors contributing to acne, including hormonal influences, diet, stress, gut-skin interactions, and topical product use.
- Describe an integrative dermatology framework for evaluating acne, including appropriate history-taking, physical assessment cues, and relevant functional and conventional workup options.
- Differentiate between conventional, botanical, nutraceutical, lifestyle, and procedural treatment modalities and understand how to layer them into a comprehensive acne management plan.
- Explain clinician-patient communication strategies that build rapport, explore patient goals and barriers, and support shared decision-making in integrative acne care.
- Apply principles from the case discussion to develop individualized, evidence-informed treatment plans for patients with acne across a range of severities.
Faculty
Sonal Choudhary, MD is a Board certified Dermatologist and fellowship trained Dermatopathologist, who joined the Department of Dermatology in 2016 upon completion of her Dermatopathology Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Choudhary received her undergraduate degree and medical degree from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College in New Delhi India. She completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Miami, where she remained to complete her Preliminary Internship in Internal Medicine, as well as her Residency Program in Dermatology. Dr. Choudhary also completed a fellowship in Integrative Dermatology, which concluded in February 2024.
While she offers care for all dermatologic conditions, her areas of clinical interest and research are atopic dermatitis, gut and skin microbiome, integrative dermatology, alternative therapies and approaches (herbs, supplements, functional medicine testing) to inflammatory skin diseases (Hidradenitis suppurativa, Acne, Psoriasis, hair loss), nutrition in cutaneous disease and dermatopathology. She is the director of the adult atopic dermatitis clinic and member of the PCOS collaboration group at UPMC Magee. Given her areas of training, Dr. Choudhary offers a holistic and integrative approach for various skin conditions.
Professional memberships
- Member of Integrative Dermatology with Integrative Dermatology Certification Program/LearnSkin
- Fellow of Pittsburgh Academy of Dermatology
- Fellow of Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology
- Fellow of American Academy of Dermatology
- Fellow of American Academy of Dermatopathology
Education & Training
- MBBS, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Clinical Internship, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Post Doctoral Fellowship, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Internship, University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Residency, Dermatology, University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital
- Fellowship, Dermatopathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Fellowship in Integrative Dermatology with LearnSkin
