Delegation and oversight of non-physician practitioners in dermatology.

A rising demand for dermatologic procedures has led to a recent increase in the number of non-physician operators (NPOs) in the dermatology workforce. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and aestheticians commonly perform procedures in both physician-based practices and medical spas with varying degrees of dermatology-specific training and physician oversight. Although the lack of regulations can negatively impact patient outcomes and adverse events, the role of NPOs in dermatology continues to grow. Among Medicare beneficiaries, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are independently billing for a growing number of dermatologic procedures, whereas the number performed by dermatologists remains relatively stable. Medical spas are an increasingly popular destination for aesthetic consumers, and the majority employ only NPOs as primary providers. Recent data suggest that compared to dermatologists, NPOs have a higher rate of adverse events. As attempts are made to standardize and improve the training requirements for dermatologic procedures, a concerted effort should be made to prioritize patient outcomes and safety.

Google Glass in the Dermatology Clinic: Changing How We See the World.

Over the years, health disparities in medicine have continued to grow, and dermatology has been especially impacted, given the relative shortage of dermatologists in comparison to patient needs. Novel and disruptive solutions may be required to help improve patient care. In 2013, Google Glass was introduced, which is a wearable head-mounted display. The device is analogous to having a computer connected to your eyeglasses with one of the lenses serving as the screen. The technology has already been introduced for various applications within the medical field. We reviewed the pros and cons of this technology, with specific focus on dermatologic care, and discussed how Google Glass could potentially address current dermatologic health disparities. (SKINmed. 2022;20:187-189).

Understanding aesthetic interest in oral collagen peptides: A 5-year national assessment.

Oral supplementation with collagen peptides has recently grown in popularity. It has been marketed to offer skin rejuvenating properties, such as wrinkle reduction, skin plumping, and moisturizing effects. However, current data are limited regarding its effects on the skin. Despite the controversial status of oral collagen supplements, its popularity has continued to rise. Here, we examine the consumer interest in oral collagen peptides over a 5-year period in the United States.

Sterility and cost of gloves during Mohs micrographic surgery: Sterile or peril?

In recent years, the focus in the field of health care has shifted toward cost-saving strategies without the sacrifice of patient safety and clinical outcomes. Therefore, we decided to look into the use of nonsterile gloves and sterile gloves during Mohs micrographic surgery. This practice varies widely between Mohs surgeons. However, studies have shown no differences in infection rates. Here, we review the pertinent studies and also combine the data to offer readers an overall financial analysis.

Selection Criteria of Program Directors for Dermatopathology Fellows.

Dermatopathology represents a unique field at the intersection of dermatology and pathology. Although programs are approved by the ACGME, there is neither uniformity in application materials, timetables, and deadlines, nor a centralized application process. Despite the competitive nature of dermatopathology fellowships, no formal studies have thoroughly examined the selection criteria by program directors. Our study fills this gap in the literature and evaluates the impact of selection criteria for dermatopathology fellows. Applicants can now gain insight into the most important and meaningful aspects of their application.

Stem cells in aesthetic dermatology: bioethical and professional obligations.

Recently, stem cells in aesthetics have attracted increased attention, especially as they have become a popular trend that is being mass-marketed to consumers on the Internet and social media. Unfortunately, studies have shown this marketing to be misleading as it portrays many purported benefits of stem cells that have yet to be proven in the limited studies that are available. It is important for clinicians to understand the evidence and marketing behind any new trends, especially in the fast-paced world of aesthetics, where treatments often outpace current medical understanding. As clinicians, we have bioethical and professional obligations to educate ourselves on current trends, ensure adequate patient safety, and advocate for continued consumer education.

Business administration training for dermatology residents: preparing for the business of medicine.

Previous studies have evidenced the lack of practice management and business training components in the residency curriculum, and that satisfaction with this training, when provided, was low. Whether considered good or bad, medicine has been moving increasingly toward becoming more business centric. Dermatology represents a unique field, because most residents choose to pursue private practice, where competent business skills are helpful to running a successful clinic. Our study examines the current state of business administration training for dermatology residents in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved programs as of 2017 to 2018. Our results show that residents both value and desire business administration training; however, the current training provided is considered to be insufficient and inadequate. Promoting and encouraging the teaching of business administration skills, while still balancing core competencies, may help to prepare residents in navigating the future of our field.

Uncovering Unconscious Bias and Health Disparities in the Practice of Dermatology.

The concept of unconscious bias has recently emerged as a possible contributor to current health disparities. A pilot study was performed to evaluate the presence of unconscious bias in dermatology, which has not yet been thoroughly examined. Our results show that some degree of unconscious bias may be present during clinical decision-making for patients of different skin tones and sex. Additional studies are needed to further characterize the role of unconscious bias in health disparities in dermatology.

Counterfeit esthetic devices and patient safety in dermatology.

This study addresses the dilemma concerned with meeting patients who may have encountered counterfeit esthetic devices in the marketplace. Over the past several years, we have witnessed a rise in counterfeit injectables and medical devices in our field. Often times, the procedures are marketed to patients at significantly reduced prices compared to competitors. Patients may be unaware that counterfeit devices exist and may unknowingly have procedures completed using untested and uncertified devices. It is important for clinicians to recognize when their patients may be encountering counterfeit devices, know what to do in this situation, and offer the best recommendations.