Expert Consensus Statement on Proficiency Standards for Dermoscopy Education in Primary Care.

BACKGROUND: Primary care providers (PCPs) frequently address dermatologic concerns and perform skin examinations during clinical encounters. For PCPs who evaluate concerning skin lesions, dermoscopy (a noninvasive skin visualization technique) has been shown to increase the sensitivity for skin cancer diagnosis compared with unassisted clinical examinations. Because no formal consensus existed on the fundamental knowledge and skills that PCPs should have with respect to dermoscopy for skin cancer detection, the objective of this study was to develop an expert consensus statement on proficiency standards for PCPs learning or using dermoscopy. METHODS: A 2-phase modified Delphi method was used to develop 2 proficiency standards. In the study's first phase, a focus group of PCPs and dermatologists generated a list of dermoscopic diagnoses and associated features. In the second phase, a larger panel evaluated the proposed list and determined whether each diagnosis was reflective of a foundational or intermediate proficiency or neither. RESULTS: Of the 35 initial panelists, 5 PCPs were lost to follow-up or withdrew; 30 completed the fifth and last round. The final consensus-based list contained 39 dermoscopic diagnoses and associated features. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus statement will inform the development of PCP-targeted dermoscopy training initiatives designed to support early cancer detection.

A Multi-Site Survey Study of Patient Satisfaction with Teledermatology.

Introduction: Telemedicine has been of heightened focus due to spikes in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disparities in health care may affect patient satisfaction with this resource depending on factors such as patient race, age, or socioeconomic background. The purpose of this study was to analyze patient satisfaction with teledermatology to identify any differences in satisfaction based on race, age, and income during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: A 21-question, IRB-approved survey was administered to patients at two academic dermatology clinics in Kansas City. Patient satisfaction was measured using a five-point Likert scale. Results: A total of 64 completed surveys were analyzed (17.8% response rate). Most of the participants were female (n = 48, 75%), age 45 to 60 (n = 17, 26.6%), and reported White for race (n = 55, 85.9%). Overall, 73.4% (n = 47) of patients reported being satisfied with their visit. However, only 38.7% (n = 24) of participants were likely to choose a video over an in-person visit. Reasons for low patient satisfaction included concerns regarding ability to perform an accurate physical exam with a video visit (n = 9, 14.1%), receiving inadequate care (n = 4, 6.3%), protected privacy (n = 3, 4.7%), and provider understanding the patient (n = 2, 3.1%). Conclusions: Our findings were similar to prior studies stating no difference in patient satisfaction with regards to age, income, or race and patients reporting high satisfaction with teledermatology appointments despite a preference for in-person dermatology visits. Future studies with a larger diverse cohort of participants are needed to elucidate and address possible disparities associated with teledermatology use.

Adalimumab for treatment of severe ulcerative sarcoidosis.

Ulcerative sarcoidosis is a rare variant of cutaneous sarcoidosis that may present as ulceration with necrotic yellow plaques on the lower extremities, face, arms, trunk, or genital area. Adalimumab, a human monoclonal anti-TNF antibody, is an emerging treatment for recalcitrant cutaneous sarcoidosis. We describe severe ulcerative sarcoidosis in a 60-year-old woman with chronic ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica-like plaques on her left arm for over 20 years. Her condition had not responded to previous treatments with hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and sulfasalazine. After a four-month course of adalimumab therapy in addition to pentoxifylline and prednisone with taper, the patient had significant improvement in her skin disease.

High-Potency Topical Steroid Treatment of Multiple Keratoacanthomas Associated With Prurigo Nodularis.

Patients who present with multiple keratoacanthomas (KAs) associated with prurigo nodularis often pose a treatment challenge. These lesions often require aggressive treatment, such as Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, intralesional steroid injection, and long-term acitretin. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) cream 5% has been shown to be effective; however, topical options are limited when 5-FU fails. We have found success using a high-potency topical steroid under occlusion, resulting in resolution of KAs and prurigo nodules.

Building a Group-Based Opioid Treatment (GBOT) blueprint: a qualitative study delineating GBOT implementation.

BACKGROUND: Group-Based Opioid Treatment (GBOT) has recently emerged as a mechanism for treating patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the outpatient setting. However, the more practical "how to" components of successfully delivering GBOT has received little attention in the medical literature, potentially limiting its widespread implementation and utilization. Building on a previous case series, this paper delineates the key components to implementing GBOT by asking: (a) What are the core components to GBOT implementation, and how are they defined? (b) What are the malleable components to GBOT implementation, and what conceptual framework should providers use in determining how to apply these components for effective delivery in their unique clinical environment? METHODS: To create a blueprint delineating GBOT implementation, we integrated findings from a previously conducted and separately published systematic review of existing GBOT studies, conducted additional literature review, reviewed best practice recommendations and policies related to GBOT and organizational frameworks for implementing health systems change. We triangulated this data with a qualitative thematic analysis from 5 individual interviews and 2 focus groups representing leaders from 5 different GBOT programs across our institution to identify the key components to GBOT implementation, distinguish "core" and "malleable" components, and provide a conceptual framework for considering various options for implementing the malleable components. RESULTS: We identified 6 core components to GBOT implementation that optimize clinical outcomes, comply with mandatory policies and regulations, ensure patient and staff safety, and promote sustainability in delivery. These included consistent group expectations, team-based approach to care, safe and confidential space, billing compliance, regular monitoring, and regular patient participation. We identified 14 malleable components and developed a novel conceptual framework that providers can apply when deciding how to employ each malleable component that considers empirical, theoretical and practical dimensions. CONCLUSION: While further research on the effectiveness of GBOT and its individual implementation components is needed, the blueprint outlined here provides an initial framework to help office-based opioid treatment sites implement a successful GBOT approach and hence potentially serve as future study sites to establish efficacy of the model. This blueprint can also be used to continuously monitor how components of GBOT influence treatment outcomes, providing an empirical framework for the ongoing process of refining implementation strategies.

Wilderness Dermatology: Bugs, Plants, and Other Nuisances That May Ruin Your Hike.

Spending time outdoors can be rewarding. However, exposure to the sun, insect bites, and plant exposures may result in a wide range of dermatologic manifestations. In this article, we describe potential cutaneous manifestations of common wilderness exposures in New England including photodermatoses from prolonged sun exposure, phytodermatoses from plant exposures, and arthropod-bite reactions from common insects (mosquitos, spiders, ticks, hymenoptera, mites and chiggers). The article will also address preventive and treatment strategies which may help physicians and their patients better prepare for spending time in the wilderness. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2019-02.asp].

Predicting future emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma using the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument - Emergency Department version (PACCI-ED).

OBJECTIVE: Emergency departments (EDs) are potential settings for interventions to improve asthma outcomes. Screening tools can identify children at risk of future morbidity. Our objective was to determine the predictive validity of the Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument - Emergency Department version (PACCI-ED) for future asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 108 children 1-17 years old who visited an ED for asthma and completed the PACCI-ED. The PACCI-ED queries parents about prior 12-month ED visits, hospitalizations, steroid use, perceived asthma morbidity and burden, and asthma control (over prior 1-2 weeks). The primary outcome was subsequent ED visits and hospitalizations within 1 year of enrollment. Poisson regression was used to model PACCI-ED questions for future ED visits controlling for age and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Reported ED visits predicted future ED visits (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-7.2) but not future hospitalizations. Reported hospitalizations predicted future ED visits (aIRR 3.3; 95% CI 1.7-6.3) and hospitalizations (aIRR 6.4; 95% CI 2.3-17.6). The remaining PACCI-ED questions did not predict future ED visits or hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: The PACCI-ED risk domain was the only domain that predicted future asthma ED visits and hospitalizations. Questions about previous ED visits and hospitalizations are the most effective questions when screening children with asthma in EDs for the risk of future health-care use.

A Self-Directed Preclinical Course in Ophthalmic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Medical students receive limited exposure to ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery in the preclinical curriculum. To address this gap, the authors designed a self-directed preclinical elective course in ophthalmic surgery offered in the 2013-2014 academic year to all first- and second-year students at the study institution. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with anonymous Likert-style questionnaires and qualitative responses. SETTING: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI. PARTICIPANTS: All current first- and second-year medical students at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University enrolled in the preclinical elective in 2013-2014 were eligible to participate in the study. METHODS: The course had 3 components: (1) 4 web-based didactic modules on common ophthalmic conditions with slide sets, surgical procedure videos and animations, and mandatory premodule and postmodule quizzes to assess for competency; (2) a 3-hour interactive virtual surgery simulation session on cataract surgery-related tasks; (3) a total of 2 shadowing experiences in the clinic and in the operating room. Each student completed an anonymous precourse and postcourse Likert-style questionnaire that assessed exposure to ophthalmology, favored components of the course, and interest in ophthalmology as a career. RESULTS: Of the 22 students who signed up, 18 (81.8%) completed the course. Most students (76.5%; 14/18) felt there was inadequate exposure to ophthalmology in the medical curriculum. Students scored a mean of 44.0% on premodule assessments and 97.0% on postmodule assessments. All students completed the postcourse questionnaire: they all recommended the course to other medical students and increased their understanding of ophthalmology as a career. The most popular components of the course were the practical aspects of the elective (44.4%; 8/18) and virtual surgery simulation (44.4%; 8/18). CONCLUSIONS: This course increased preclinical medical students' knowledge of ophthalmic surgery and suggests that flexible preclinical electives can help medical students explore clinical interests and career choices earlier in their medical education.

An Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetic Retinopathy.

The objective is to evaluate the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), and Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) for diabetic retinopathy. Four evaluators independently appraised the CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument, which covers 6 domains (Scope and Purpose, Stakeholder Involvement, Rigor of Development, Clarity of Presentation, Applicability, and Editorial Independence). Scores ranged from 35% to 78% (AAO), 60% to 92% (COS), and 35% to 82% (RCO). Intraclass correlation coefficients for the reliability of mean scores were 0.78, 0.78, and 0.79, respectively. The strongest domains were Scope and Purpose, and Clarity of Presentation (COS). The weakest were Stakeholder Involvement (AAO), Rigor of Development (AAO, RCO), Applicability, and Editorial Independence (RCO). Diabetic retinopathy practice guidelines can be improved by targeting Stakeholder Involvement, Rigor of Development, Applicability, and Editorial Independence.

Critical Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose. To evaluate the methodological quality of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Methods. AMD CPGs published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) were appraised by independent reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument, which comprises six domains (Scope and Purpose, Stakeholder Involvement, Rigor of Development, Clarity of Presentation, Applicability, and Editorial Independence), and an Overall Assessment score summarizing methodological quality across all domains. Results. Average domain scores ranged from 35% to 83% for the AAO CPG and from 17% to 83% for the RCO CPG. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the reliability of mean scores for the AAO and RCO CPGs were 0.74 and 0.88, respectively. The strongest domains were Scope and Purpose and Clarity of Presentation. The weakest were Stakeholder Involvement (AAO) and Editorial Independence (RCO). Conclusions. Future AMD CPGs can be improved by involving all relevant stakeholders in guideline development, ensuring transparency of guideline development and review methodology, improving guideline applicability with respect to economic considerations, and addressing potential conflict of interests within the development group.

Evaluation of primary open-angle glaucoma clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the methodologic quality of 3 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). DESIGN: The CPGs were assessed with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. PARTICIPANTS: Four authors (A.M.W., C.M.W., B.K.Y., D.J.W.) performed independent assessments of POAG CPGs. METHODS: POAG CPGs published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) were appraised using the AGREE II instrument's 6 domains (Scope and Purpose, Stakeholder Involvement, Rigor of Development, Clarity of Presentation, Applicability, and Editorial Independence) and Overall Assessment score summarizing guideline quality across all domains. RESULTS: Scores ranged from 28% to 85% for the AAO CPG, 51% to 96% for the COS CPG, and 55% to 97% for the NICE CPG. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the reliability of mean scores for the AAO, COS, and NICE CPGs were 0.89, 0.86, and 0.74; 95% CIs were 0.80 to 0.95, 0.74 to 0.93, and 0.51 to 0.87, respectively. The strongest domains were Scope and Purpose (AAO, COS, NICE) and Clarity of Presentation (COS, NICE). The weakest domains were Stakeholder Involvement (AAO, COS) and Editorial Independence (AAO, COS, NICE). CONCLUSIONS: Future POAG CPGs can be improved by addressing potential conflicts of interest within the development group, ensuring transparency of guideline development methodology, and involving all relevant stakeholders in guideline development and review.