Elaine Siegfried, M.D.

The Prior Authorizations process creates inconsistent application, physician dissatisfaction and opportunity for life-threatening adverse events for patients.

When it comes to easily-recognized, benign, self-limited conditions like warts and molluscum, Dr. Siegfried calls herself a treatment nihilist. Learn why in this article.

Most dermatologists train in a clinical setting that accepts underinsured patients, but only some physicians continue along this path. Elaine Siegfried, M.D. offers her point of view on the pros and cons of working with this population, and discusses how to maintain a socioeconomically inclusive dermatology practice.

Developing doctor-patient relationships are key to avoiding oversimplification of characteristics like race and gender, which can result in stereotyping and medical mismanagement.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Dr. Elaine Siegfried continues the discussion on isotretinoin with Jim Leyden, M.D., emeritus professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. In this final segment, the two discuss whether a waiting period is necessary before treating acne scars and the questionable existence of pityrosporum folliculitis.

In part three of the discussion on isotretinoin, our experts discuss distinguishing sinus tracts or keratinous cysts from nodular areas of inflammation and techniques for treating via intralesional injection.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Dr. Elaine Siegfried continues the discussion on isotretinoin with James Leyden, M.D., emeritus professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. Here, the two discuss isotretinoin dosing and side effects.

Dr. Jim Leyden, an active participant in isotretinoin's drug development process, discusses many of the important initial clinical observations and those that others have made over the years.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor Dr. Elaine Siegfried talks with Jim Leyden, M.D., emeritus professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania about the art and science of isotretinoin therapy. Dr. Leyden, aside from being a member of the famed Acne Mafia, was a really active participant in the drug development process for isotretinoin, a drug for which, the institutional memory about that process may be fading. The two discuss many of the important initial clinical observations and those that others have made over the years.

Dermatology Times editorial advisor, Elaine Siegfried, M.D., talks with Peter Lio, M.D., assistant professor of clinical dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and private practice, Dermatology and Aesthetics of Wicker Park, Wicker Park, Chicago, about his interest in alternative medicine and the legitimacy and usefulness of certain techniques and therapies.

Therapeutics is one of the most significant challenges in pediatric dermatology. Children have been identified as “therapeutic orphans”, with few options that have FDA-approved pediatric indications. Access to new and novel treatments like biologics is especially limited. Supportive legislation, beginning with the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (bpca.nichd.nih.gov), has marked the dawn of a new era.

We medical professionals are confronted with our own assortment of believe-it-or-nots and oddities on a daily basis. Unfortunately, they are often more upsetting or frustrating than astounding. I started keeping a list a few years ago, initially as a coping mechanism. But gradually, the list evolved into a collection.

Shortly after I was invited to join the editorial board at Dermatology Times almost two years ago, I began collecting quotes to share with readers. Some are entertaining, some are inspiring. I heard some straight from the original source - often fellow dermatologists speaking publicly.

In September 2009, Amgen decided to withdraw application for expanded use of its biologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent etanercept (Enbrel) in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Dr. Gawande documented the astounding per capita variation in Medicare expenditures at different locales and explored the reasons behind the discrepancies.