News

Quality ratings for physicians are becomingly increasingly important as measures of performance and determinants of reimbursement. One measure gaining traction for physician rating is the Press Ganey score.

If three groups of researchers were to discover a melanoma gene, could it be patented? If so, who could stake claim to the patent? There is precedent for this scenario with the development of testing for the BRCA breast and ovarian genes.

A combination therapy of same-session fractional ablative laser treatment and topical triamcinolone acetonide suspension improves hypertrophic scars, according to results of a recent study.

Early-onset baldness in African-American men may be linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer, results of a recent study indicate.

A repair procedure involving a full-thickness skin graft and a separately harvested auricular cartilage graft allow for correction of deep nasal alar defects after Mohs micrographic surgery, results of a study indicate.

The rate of adverse events in patients using adalimumab remains low over time, with infections indicated as the most common adverse event, according to a study.

Contrary to popular belief, not all generic and branded topical preparations are created equal in terms of efficacy and tolerability, in part due to the crucial differences in the vehicle used.

Although Mohs micrographic surgery represents the gold standard for treatment of many skin cancers, says an expert, healthcare reform dictates that dermatologists also consider less costly options when appropriate.

Treating uncommon tumors that present in a Mohs surgical unit requires matching the tumor’s clinical history and histopathology with available therapies, says an expert who spoke at the 71st annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting.

The many vagaries of lentigo maligna (LM) or melanoma in situ typically demand staged excision techniques for maximal margin control, according to an expert who spoke at the 71st annual American Academy of Dermatology conference.

Numerous therapies are making a significant difference in the management of metastatic melanoma, according to an expert who spoke at the annual Canadian Melanoma Conference.

Other physicians’ negative perceptions of dermatologists won’t change unless dermatologists police their own ranks more aggressively and step up in their communities, an expert says.

An individualized approach to medicine and standardized care in medicine do not necessarily have to be at odds when it comes to surgical management of melanoma.

Dermatologists’ prescribing of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and antibiotics for acne leaves room for improvement, according to an expert.

For photodynamic therapy (PDT), an expert says, heating the skin during incubation increases porphyrin synthesis, improving results and potentially cutting incubation times.

People who live with psoriasis have a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Xolair (omalizumab, Novartis) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in patients ages 12 and older.

Laser device makers Cynosure and Palomar Medical are merging in a transaction valued at $294 million.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals is acquiring Obagi Medical Products for nearly $344 million, just months after acquiring Medicis Pharmaceutical for $2.6 billion.

Handheld umbrellas can block between 77 and 99 percent of UV radiation, according to results of a recent study.

Genital hair removal methods may help the spread of the virus molluscum contagiosum, according to results of a review of cases in a skincare clinic in France.

Continued research has led to new and exciting noninvasive therapies for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), lentigo maligna and malignant melanoma, offering some patients an alternative to surgery and/radiation treatment approaches.

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.