This feature sees Dr Talat Uppal in conversation with women’s health leaders in a broad range of leadership positions. We hope you find this an interesting and inspiring read.

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Introducing Dr Rebecca Saunderson

Dr Rebecca Saunderson is a consultant dermatologist and the Chief Executive Officer of Consentic, a digital health platform that is reshaping the way clinicians engage with patients around medical consent. Dr Saunderson has expertise in managing both adult and paediatric skin conditions, with additional experience in female genital dermatology and complex medical conditions that occur in the skin.

Dr Saunderson brings both clinical insight and academic excellence to her work, having earned First-Class Honours in Medicine and Medical Science and completed a Master of Philosophy in Infectious Diseases at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Drawing on years of experience treating patients and navigating the intricate world of medical consent, Dr Saunderson co-founded Consentic to bridge a crucial gap in patient understanding. Her dual lens as a dermatologist and a digital health leader offers valuable insight into the evolving landscape of women’s health, consent, and care.

What drew you to focus on vulval dermatology and women’s health?

Working in dermatology, I became increasingly aware of how under-recognised and under-treated vulval skin conditions were, not just by patients, but often by clinicians too. Vulval dermatology sits at the intersection of dermatology, gynaecology, sexual health, and often psychology. I was drawn to the complexity and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for women whose symptoms had often been minimised or dismissed. Vulval conditions are invisible diseases, and women can suffer in silence for years due to stigma, lack of access to expertise, or misdiagnosis. I wanted to be part of changing that.

What are the most common misconceptions about vulval conditions you encounter?

One of the most damaging misconceptions is that symptoms like pain, itching, burning, or irritation are “just in the patient’s head”. Many women are told their distress is psychological or related to anxiety, particularly when no obvious signs are visible on examination. This minimisation can delay diagnosis and erode trust in the medical system.

Is there one vulval condition you feel deserves more awareness or research focus?

Lichen planus, particularly erosive vulval lichen planus, is significantly under-recognised and often misdiagnosed. It can cause severe discomfort, scarring, and sexual dysfunction, yet there are no approved treatments and limited high-quality data to guide management.

We are currently running a clinical trial investigating Deucravacitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor, compared to methotrexate, for erosive lichen planus.

How do you see digital tools like Consentic improving patient experience, particularly in procedures such as vulval biopsies? Would you be able to share a screenshot or example of a digital consent template that might be used in this context?

Digital tools like Consentic are transforming how we engage with patients, not only at the point of consent, but throughout their entire journey.

In vulval care, many patients have had difficult, fragmented healthcare experiences. Consentic helps streamline and humanise that process. When integrated with practice management systems like Gentu, patients can complete their patient registration, medical history, and relevant surveys, such as the Vulval Quality of Life Index (VQLI), online, at their convenience. This means clinicians have the information they need before the consultation, stored securely and accessibly in the patient file.

When it comes to procedures, patients can watch short, clear animated videos that explain what to expect the risks and the alternatives. This helps reduce anxiety and ensures patients are genuinely informed. The completed consent is then linked directly to the clinical file, ensuring transparency and continuity of care.

By digitising and integrating these steps, we’re not only improving the quality and consistency of information, but also reducing administrative burden, minimising errors, and empowering patients to take a more active role in their care.

What are you most excited about in the future of women’s health regarding vulval care? Do you feel AI will make diagnosis easier in future?

I’m particularly excited about the emerging role of biologics, especially Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors, in the treatment of vulval diseases like lichen planus and lichen sclerosus. These therapies, which target specific pathways involved in inflammation, have shown great promise in other areas of dermatology, and I believe they could dramatically improve the quality of life for women with chronic vulval conditions. These will be game changers.

I’m not sure about AI in terms of clinical examination diagnostics, but certainly, it can be helpful for history taking and reducing administrative tasks in clinics.

What advice would you give to younger doctors interested in caring for women in this context?

You’ll have many grateful patients and the sisterhood needs you! Caring for women’s vulval health is incredibly rewarding. Many women have suffered in silence for years, and by specialising in this area, you can make a profound difference in their lives.