Practice management consultants Elizabeth W. Woodcock, M.B.A., the founder of Woodcock & Associates, Atlanta, and Pamela L. Moore, Ph.D., director of content and strategy for Physicians Practice, Inc., offer these tips for protecting your practice during tough times
The spectrum of male genital dermatoses encompasses a range of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. In providing proper diagnosis and management, the dermatologist can play an important role in minimizing the morbidity and mortality that can accompany these conditions.
Revenue is flat, even dropping, at many dermatology practices. The recession that began last year is leading more Americans to cut back on preventive care, as well as elective procedures and treatments.
Early identification of dysplastic nevi (DM) is crucial, as patients with DM are at significantly greater risk of developing malignant melanoma. An expert advocates a DN management strategy that utilizes total cutaneous examination, total cutaneous photography and dermoscopy.
Dermatologists play a key role in the health and well-being of armed services throughout the world. Climate, hygiene and environmental factors all contribute to the spread of cutaneous disorders and infections.
The co-pioneer of Botox Cosmetic (botulinum toxin A, Allergan) traces the inspiration for the product back to one testy patient's plea.
Even Mohs surgeons with ample experience in detecting basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can have difficulty detecting malignant melanocytes in frozen sections, making many apprehensive about using Mohs surgery for lentigo maligna. But proponents of the technique say the fast results and reduced rate of recurrence make Mohs well worth the effort.
Research suggests that AKs are most likely early-stage superficial SCCs. The dermatology, pathology and dermatopathology communities need to change their classification or prove that AKs are distinct, an expert says. Virtually all AK research is fraught with inadequate data and lack of standardized protocols, he says.
Dr. Richey suggests that anyone interested in developing a Brighter Days program follow these recommendations:
As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the safety of therapeutic and cosmetic botulinum toxin injections, dermatologists say adding warnings to Botox Cosmetic (botulinum toxin A, Allergan) would be unwarranted.
Stress, depression and anxiety can increase skin, hair or nail problems. Therefore, in some cases, dermatologic therapies should be used in conjunction with appropriate stress-management strategies.
Nearly two decades after the introduction of botulinum toxin A for therapeutic indications, Botox Cosmetic (botulinum toxin A, Allergan) ranks among the safest and most successful æsthetic treatments available, dermatologists say. But, because of its relatively high cost, doctors say they would welcome competitive botulinum toxin options.
IPL," "photo-facial," light treatment, laser treatment - whichever name you use, intense pulsed light systems have become the single most popular light devices in use today. Their sales are largely unregulated, with most of the devices being used in spas, "medi-spas" and "rejuvenation facilities." Though universally offered, can IPL treatments differ at these "nonphysician facilities" and physicians' offices?
The use of photodynamic therapy is increasing, and yet the modality hasn't made much headway in the United States as a treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancers. Two dermatologists face off on its prospects for skin cancer treatment in the United States.
Occupational dermatitis is common, but often overlooked by primary care physicians. Therefore, dermatologists' skills are needed to not only diagnose work-related dermatitis, but also to identify the offending agents and manage the condition.
Brighter Days, a program launched by dermatologist Donald Richey, M.D., of Chico, Calif., adds a humanitarian touch to oncology treatment protocols. The program offers personalized skincare to help patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, in a group therapy environment.
Dermatology is not recession-proof. However, protecting revenue and containing costs can help your practice survive and even thrive, even in challenging economic times.
With oral dapsone plagued by concerns of hematological side effects, a topical formulation has given dapsone a safer, new role in treating some dermatologic conditions.
Among the most hard-hit victims of today's troubled economy are the nation's banks. New service charges, confusing account options and wildly varying interest rates are just some of the techniques some banks are using to help pump up their slumping profits - at your expense.
If it weren't for off-label drug use, dermatologists might have no medications at all. That may be a facetious statement, but it is one commonly repeated by dermatologists. A study from Stanford University a few years ago indicated that 20 percent of all drugs were prescribed off-label, and with biologics, fillers, immunomodulators and other drugs, dermatology's percentage may be even higher.
Today's nonsurgical rejuvenation tools provide effective means for achieving objectifiable contemporary standards of facial beauty, an expert says.
Mohs surgeons are experiencing a drastic reduction in reimbursement due to a change in Medicare policy, and further cuts may be coming. The task for dermatologists who perform Mohs surgery is to face the fact of reduced reimbursements and work with the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) to reverse these measure
ArNOX is an abbreviation for age-related NOX, with NOX representing NADH oxidase proteins. Much of the research on arNOX was completed by D.M. Morré, Ph.D., and D.J. Morré, Ph.D., at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Several types of NOX have been identified, including constitutive or normal NOX (cNOX) and tumor NOX (tNOX).
The mainstay of treatment for actinic keratoses (AKs) is liquid nitrogen, but the therapy has several disadvantages. Ingenor mebutate, a topical gel, is being investigated for its efficacy and safety as a therapy, with the most recent findings showing a significant difference in the clearance rate of AKs with the use of this gel, as well as good tolerability.
Botulinum toxin products must carry a strong "black box" warning on potentially lethal risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced April 30.
Medicis (NYSE:MRX) and Ipsen (Euronext:IPN) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for DYSPORT (abobotulinumtoxinA), an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent, according to GlobeNewswire.com.
Tretinoin gel microsphere 0.04 percent technology causes less facial skin irritation than does adapalene 0.3 percent, according to a recent study.
A new study involving cross-sectional samples of the U.S. population reveals no association between isotretinoin and suicidality, the study-s author says.
Beginning May 1, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was to begin enforcing a rule requiring certain kinds of businesses, including most doctors? practices and hospitals, to develop written plans for identifying and responding to warning signs ? red flags ? of identity theft. And while many healthcare providers view the Red Flags Rule as another time-consuming, expensive federal mandate they have to follow, dermatologists who have prepared for it say it need not be either.
Is the voice of the professional being heard in the debate over healthcare reform? ModernMedicine.com convened a roundtable of doctors, hospital administrators, professors and others to talk about what needs to be done. See the videos at www.modernmedicine.com.
