The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) announced at press time that it is scuttling a proposal to adopt British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) guidelines for management of actinic keratoses (AKs). The move follows a June public comment period during which academy members expressed "significant concerns" about the proposal, sources say.
Dermatologists should be able to diagnose and treat disorders of the oral and vaginal mucous membranes with the same authority they bring to skin problems, experts say.
A study shows for the first time prospectively that chronic ultraviolet (UV) light exposure raises the risk of lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), a study co-author says.
Implementation of the Red Flags Rule by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which would require doctors and other businesses to take specific steps to minimize identity theft, has been delayed until a federal appeals court rules on a lawsuit by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Experts say a few clear rules will help physicians effectively engage patients via social media. They advise making a plan and writing a policy that delineates privacy and other requirements. Avoid postings that sound like sales pitches, and don't "friend" your patients.
The newest theory of wrinkle formation is that wrinkles are related to a defective clone of cells that reproduce over a lifetime to produce a skin fold. DNA damage is at the center of the wrinkle.
Two years ago, Dr. Reputation noticed a slowdown in his practice, which he attributed to the poor national economy. Recently, however, other dermatologists have reported an upturn in their schedules. One day, a loyal patient tells Dr. Reputation that a popular physician grade website gives Dr. Reputation a failing grade. Can Dr. Reputation sue to find out the methods used by the website?
Many different approaches are used to manage pain in medicine, and most therapies are pharmacologically based. Acupuncture is one therapeutic modality that can be used as a viable treatment option for painful diseases and conditions (including those seen in dermatology) without the occurrence of the adverse events that can take place with topical, oral or intravenous drug therapies.
Findings from an analysis of the long-term safety data from patients receiving repeat administrations of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport, Medicis) for the treatment of glabellar lines are consistent with the adverse event profile appearing in the package insert, says Ira D. Lawrence, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice-president of research and development, Medicis, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Clinicians can opt to switch patients to another therapy if they develop drug-induced pigmentation, can consider opting to prescribe a therapy that won't produce dermatological toxicity from the outset, or they can maintain patients on the therapy if the hyperpigmentation is tolerable.
Dermatologists may be able to breathe a sigh of relief over the final rules for the government's electronic health record (EHR) incentive program released July 13 - but only a small sigh. Although the rules are hardly light reading, understanding them and putting them into operation is essential to successful participation in the government's bonus payment program for EHRs.
One of the most difficult lessons that I have had to learn since entering private practice four years ago is that patients want to have their say. In fact, sometimes this is the main reason for the office visit. If we do not understand the full motivation of the person seeking our care, we may fail that patient in a very profound way.
Some skin warts should be treated more aggressively, while others need not be, according to research presented at a poster session at the 26th International Papillomavirus Conference.
Although setting up a cosmetic practice requires commitment and creativity, such practices can help insulate dermatologists against the impact of a sluggish economy, an expert says.
Exercise, sun, a nice meal and a little wine sounds like the perfect prescription for a good and healthy life, and it might be - unless this is a patient who suffers from rosacea. But how should a physician approach the treatment of a condition when contributing factors consist of daily living?
To address a lack of guidance for physicians' and medical students' use of social media, the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs for the American Medical Association (AMA) is studying the subject for a report this fall. Experts applaud the move.
After more than 50 years as a dermatologist, Denny Tuffanelli, M.D., considers it an honor and a privilege to care for patients. He spends five-and-a-half days a week at a group dermatology practice in San Francisco, where he practices with his daughter, general dermatologist Lucia Tuffanelli, M.D. The patriarch, clinical professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, continues to see consults at four hospitals.
Although many dermatologists have not yet embraced social media - such as the wildly popular Facebook - for their practices, others are finding that these tools can provide a targeted, cost-efficient and increasingly useful channel for connecting with patients, experts say.
Durham, N.C. - Stiefel, based here, has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for Veltin gel for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients at least 12 years old, the online Pharmaceutical Business Review reports.
Chicago - The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) has launched new CCHIT-certified programs for electronic health records (EHRs) in behavioral health, dermatology, and long-term and post-acute care.
New York - La Roche-Posay has issued a call for submission of abstracts for the La Roche-Posay North American Foundation’s 2011 Research Awards.
New York - Histogen, a regenerative-medicine company based in San Diego, has named Neil Sadick, M.D., to its scientific advisory board, PRWeb reports.
Medical Missions 101 : Benefits far outweigh negatives when volunteering abroad, derms say Wonder Drug? : Ipilimumab dramatically improves survival in melanoma patients Special Report : Women & Skin
Dr. Bill's practice sees more than 1,000 patients a week, most covered by some version of medical insurance. The practice outsourced its billing to a billing company, which takes a small percentage of each paid patient bill as its method of payment. Recently, a disgruntled patient sued Dr. Bill, alleging illegal fee splitting.
Traveling abroad on medical missions poses inherent challenges. But dermatologists who have made such trips year after year say the positives far outweigh the negatives.
A recent study appears to have identified a drug that promises to dramatically improve survival rates in melanoma patients. Ahead, however, lies the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process and still more research on what some are already hailing as a wonder drug: ipilimumab.
Nail diseases are an important component of any dermatologist's practice. In many cases, treatment of nail conditions is difficult, as penetration of topical medications through the nail plate is challenging. Light therapy, which is able to travel through tissues and focus on specific targets without damage to surrounding normal skin or nail, would be a welcome option in the therapy of any nail disorder.
All physicians are familiar with the concept of the Hippocratic Oath, a 2,500-year-old promise to uphold professional ethical standards. I have not reviewed the oath since I recited it at my graduation from medical school in 1985, but it came to mind as I faced a monthly red budget statement despite a full-capacity schedule with limited staff support, and low Press Ganey satisfaction scores about lengthy waits for appointments and service.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be out of the public eye, but curing these unseen epidemics requires ongoing research, says an expert who spoke at the 2010 annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
While dermatologists and other physicians who serve Medicare patients have been given a reprieve until Nov. 30 from the 21.3 percent payment cut that had gone into effect in June - and were also given a 2.2 percent increase - there is more bad news to come, unless Congress gets rid of the current mechanism for setting rates.
