News

When considering the best way to spend $100,000 on one’s practice, an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum recommends a pragmatic approach.

Physicians have a lot on their mind these days and, of course, some of it stems from the tenuous concerns about healthcare reform at a time when they are so busy trying to manage their schedules they don’t have time to come up for air.

Smartphones are the newest distracter in the healthcare environment. A study of pediatric housestaff and faculty at a university-affiliated public teaching hospital noted that residents self reported missing a piece of clinical information in 19 percent of their cases and faculty in 12 percent of their cases due to distractions caused by smartphones.

Despite burgeoning interest in the field, the demand for pediatric dermatology services continues to remain high and outstrip existing supply.

The 65-and-older population grew at a faster rate than the total population between 2000 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census. And if they haven’t already started, nearly all of these patients will be flooding dermatologists’ offices soon, says Wendy Roberts, M.D., who is in private practice, Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Workplace violence not only compromises employee safety, it also has legal implications. In 1996, OSHA established federal guidelines for businesses implementing violence-prevention programs. The guidelines, although not mandatory, are often cited in workplace violence-related lawsuits.

When it comes to electronic health record (EHR) implementation, dermatology isn’t at the beginning - the naive stage - or at the end - where the technology is doing what it’s supposed to do. Dermatology is in what one might call the teenage years, an awkward, frustrating, but hopeful, time.

Although the clinical symptoms and overall management of early- and late-onset psoriasis are similar, late-onset psoriasis can offer very different challenges ranging from disease severity to the heightened caution required when choosing systemic therapies.

Choosing between noninvasive fat treatments often requires a point-by-point comparison, keeping in mind the physical and other constraints of one’s practice, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

Knowing the specific characteristics of a filler and the potential complications that can arise, and how to deal with those problems, is crucial in performing effective and safe filler procedures, says Joseph E. Hkeik, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.G.P., F.F.M.A.C.C.S., D.P.D.

Consumers’ enthusiasm for stem cell-based cosmeceuticals should not overshadow the reality that these products remain unsupported by rigorous research, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

Multiple changes in the skin and underlying tissues contribute to the appearance of periocular aging, and several options rejuvenate the eyes without performing incisional surgery. Often, the best outcome depends on a combination approach, but the plan should be individualized based on findings from the physical exam and factoring in any budget limitations the patient may have, says Rhoda S. Narins, M.D.

Stem-cell-based cosmeceuticals do not contain stem cells, but rather stem cells are used for the preparation of the plant extracts used in the formulation.

Although hyaluronic acid (HA) has proven to be a versatile dermal filler in a variety of formulations, special circumstances may require other materials, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

Home-use aesthetic devices are proliferating and improving, according to an expert. Joel Schlessinger, M.D., says that, increasingly, patients want to know if home-use dermatologic devices work. Many such devices probably provide some benefit, he says, though they are generally geared toward cosmetic rather than medical indications.

Total immersion photography, performed with the Melanoscan device (Melanoscan Inc.), has the potential to reduce operator error and possibly catch nearly all melanomas in the noninvasive stage, says an expert.

The treatment and management of skin cancers in organ transplant recipients (OTR) is challenging. Recent breakthrough medications and combination treatment approaches have resulted in more effective therapeutic options for this patient population.

Successful social networking requires consistent messaging and a working grasp of how these media interconnect, says an expert who spoke at the Cosmetic Surgery Forum.

The start of 2013 found Congress in frantic negotiations to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff, which it did (barely) with passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) on Jan. 1. As a result, most Americans, including physicians, will see their taxes increase. For those who earn more than $400,000 and/or have significant investment income, the added tax bite you will feel beginning this year could be especially significant.

Even if a dermatologist has only a few minutes per visit to devote to patient education, taking a practical approach can boost the impact of these efforts, says Judith Hong, M.D., a third-year dermatology resident at the University of California, San Francisco.

To address a medical mistake or unsatisfactory outcome, Neil S. Prose, M.D., has a unique suggestion: “Imagine yourself on the opposite side of the table from the patient, with the problem in the middle. Then imagine what it would take to get on the same side of the table, working together.”

Nervousness over the potential of falling off the oft-publicized “fiscal cliff” was averted when the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) was approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama. The legislation addressed and resolved most of the tax uncertainty that made year-end tax planning for 2012 so difficult for many people. Unfortunately, however, the final resolution of issues related to spending cuts and the debt ceiling was delayed.

The protective effect of varicella zoster virus vaccine may be hindered in older patients with untreated depression, results of a study indicate.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who use anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy are not at an increased risk of herpes zoster, according to a recent study.

Women who regularly take aspirin have a 21 percent lower risk of developing melanoma than those who do not take the drug, results of a recent study indicate.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Lymphoseek, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent to locate lymph nodes in patients with certain cancers, including melanoma.

The total amount of fraud recoveries returned to Medicare trust funds since the start of the Obama administration is $10.7 billion. [Infographic]

Novan Therapeutics is conducting research on its SB204 drug candidate, which could lead to topical therapies to reduce sebum production.

Traditional teaching about celiac disease (CD) ignores the wide spectrum of this condition, which affects many atopic patients, a clinician says.

Patients who have severe psoriasis and fail conventional therapies can choose from biologic regimens that increasingly match drug attributes with individual patient characteristics, an expert says.