Clinical photography in dermatology can be an invaluable tool, if used properly. Following some basic guidelines can take the guesswork out, lend credibility and present a much more accurate picture.

Every dermatology practices could use a good Web site — and one that provides timely, accurate educational information for patients would be a boon. One enterprising practitioner saw the need, and developed a system to meet it.

Change doesn't come easy for most of us, especially when it involves money. If you're like me, you still remember the first time you walked into a bank to open an account — the fortress-like building, the prim and proper employees, tellers behind their glassed and barred cages. It was an intimidating experience, but somehow you knew that your money would be safe behind that imposing brass door to the bank vault.

National report — Now that picture-and-text websites are commonplace, dermatology practices that want to stand out are finding that online videos fit the bill, sources say. This may be particularly true for cosmetic-oriented practices, they add.

A couple of years ago I changed my e-mail address from AOL to Gmail. I am still redirecting people from my AOL address to Gmail, and I am still finding document templates, organizations and directories that have not updated my e-mail address.

National report -- For dermatologists interested in posting online videos, experts offer these do's and don'ts.

Researchers have developed a new laser technique that can significantly assist clinicians in reaching a more precise diagnosis of moles and skin cancers, before performing the actual surgery and histology. The method may not replace traditional diagnostic methods but can serve as a useful tool in securing the correct diagnosis.

Websites range from those structured as online brochures to the more complicated interactive sites. Whether you need the bells and whistles of interaction depends on your goals, how much you want to spend and how much effort you plan to focus on the web.

Keep these dos and don'ts in mind when designing and writing a professional-quality physician Web site.