Training cosmetology students in Arkansas to help dermatologists find skin cancers earlier: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We tested an educational video in cosmetology schools to increase students' knowledge about skin cancer, sun-safety practices, identifying suspicious lesions and recommending clients consult a dermatologist when a suspicious lesion is observed. METHODS: We used a cluster-randomized controlled study design to randomize 22 cosmetology schools to receive our educational video or a publicly accessible healthy lifestyle video (control). RESULTS: Students who received the intervention were more likely than controls to increase their knowledge of skin cancer, risk factors and how to identify potential skin cancers (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval = 2.86 [1.58-5.20]). At follow-up, students in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to look for suspicious moles on their clients' faces, scalps and necks (RRs = 1.75, 2.16 and 2.90, respectively). Additionally, students in the intervention group were more likely to communicate with clients about sun-safety practices (RR = 1.74 [1.11-2.73]) and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles (RR = 1.57 [1.03-2.41]). CONCLUSIONS: Our educational video helped cosmetology students recognize potential skin cancers and talk with clients about sun safety and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles. Such videos may play a role in the public health surveillance of skin cancers in communities.

Social media in dermatology: moving to Web 2.0.

Patient use of social media platforms for accessing medical information has accelerated in parallel with overall use of the Internet. Dermatologists must keep pace with our patients' use of these media through either passive or active means are outlined in detail for 4 specific social media outlets. A 5-step plan for active engagement in social media applications is presented. Implications for medical professionalism, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, and crisis management are discussed.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of dermatologic disorders.

The skin and the gastrointestinal tract may be affected concurrently by the same diseases. Pathogenetically, these conditions may be primarily dermatologic diseases involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or systemic diseases involving the skin, GI tract, and liver simultaneously. The correct diagnosis of such conditions relies on the ability of the gastroenterologist to recognize the underlying dermatologic disorder. The goal of this clinical review article is to increase gastroenterologists' awareness and understanding of some of these conditions. Case vignettes are presented and the relevant literature reviewed for epidermolysis bullosa, mastocytosis, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and melanoma. This review focuses on increasing gastroenterologists' ability to recognize, diagnose, comprehend, and manage patients with these dermatologic conditions who have GI manifestations. Advances in molecular genetics that provide insight into the underlying pathophysiology and histopathology of these lesions are highlighted.

Information consumerism on the World Wide Web: implications for dermatologists and patients.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is continuing to grow exponentially both in terms of numbers of users and numbers of web pages. There is a trend toward the increasing use of the WWW for medical educational purposes, both among physicians and patients alike. The multimedia capabilities of this evolving medium are particularly relevant to visual medical specialties such as dermatology. The origins of information consumerism on the WWW are examined, and the public health issues surrounding dermatologic information and misinformation, and how consumers navigate through the WWW are reviewed. The economic realities of medical information as a "capital good," and the impact this has on dermatologic information sources on the WWW are also discussed.Finally, strategies for guiding consumers and ourselves toward credible medical information sources on the WWW are outlined.

Generalized hyperpigmentation with daunorubicin chemotherapy.

Daunorubicin has been reported to cause hyperpigmentation of sun-exposed skin and/or transverse nail pigmentation (3 cases). We report a case of an African American man who had an atypical pattern of generalized hyperpigmentation develop that involved many sun-protected skin areas 2 weeks after daunorubicin treatment. Histopathology of hyperpigmented skin showed increased melanin granules in all epidermal layers. The mechanisms by which daunorubicin may increase skin pigmentation are discussed.