Performance measurement part I: Foundational knowledge for measure development.

As medicine is moving toward performance and outcome-based payment and is transitioning away from productivity-based systems, value is now being appraised in healthcare through "performance measures." Over the past few decades, assessment of clinical performance in health care has been essential in ensuring safe and cost-effective patient care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is further driving this change with measurable, outcomes-based national payer incentive payment systems. With the continually evolving requirements in health care reform focused on value-based care, there is a growing concern that clinicians, particularly dermatologists, may not understand the scientific rationale of health care quality measurement. As such, in order to help dermatologists understand the health care measurement science landscape to empower them to engage in the performance measure development and implementation process, the first article in this 2-part continuing medical education series reviews the value equation, historic and evolving policy issues, and the American Academy of Dermatology's approach to performance measurement development to provide the required foundational knowledge for performance measure developers.

Performance measurement part II: A guide to developing dermatology performance measures.

Throughout the 21st century, national and local governments, private health sectors, health insurance companies, healthcare professionals, labor unions, and consumers have been striving to develop an effective approach to evaluate, report, and improve the quality of healthcare. As medicine improves and health systems grow to meet patient needs, the performance measurement system of care effectiveness must also evolve. Continual efforts should be undertaken to effectively measure quality of care to create a more informed public, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. As such, recent policy reform has necessitated that performance systems be implemented in healthcare, with the "performance measure" being the foundation of the system in which all of healthcare must be actively engaged in to ensure optimal care for patients. The development of performance measures can be highly complex, particularly when creating specialty-specific performance measures. To help dermatologists understand the process of creating dermatology-specific performance measures to engage in creating or implementing performance measures at the local or national levels, this article in the two-part continuing medical education series reviews the types, components, and process of developing, reviewing, and implementing performance measures.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer in the setting of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: A case series and comment on management implications.

BACKGROUND: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is an inflammatory cutaneous disorder typically affecting sun-damaged skin of mature individuals. Clinical features of EPDS include sterile pustules and chronic crusted erosions that can be hyperkeratotic and lead to scarring alopecia, atrophy, and telangiectasia. While the condition occurs on sun-damaged skin, a relationship with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: Here we attempted to identify cases of NMSC developing in the setting of EPDS. METHODS: Retrospective review of EPDS cases in a dermatology practice. RESULTS: Six patients with mean (range) age 82 (65-92) years that developed NMSC in the setting of EPDS are reported. Five patients had skin phototype I or II associated with substantial solar elastosis. Four patients had history of NMSC. Four patients developed squamous cell carcinoma and two patients basal cell carcinoma on the scalp in the setting of EPDS. A morphologic change in an EPDS lesion, such as a crusted plaque becoming nodular and/or growing significantly within a relatively short period of time, prompted a biopsy that revealed NMSC. CONCLUSIONS: NMSC may develop in the setting of EPDS. Possible mechanisms underlying this association include the chronic inflammation associated with EPDS and ultraviolet light exposure. It is crucial to promptly obtain a biopsy in EPDS cases showing signs suspicious for NMSC. Further studies are required to confirm whether NMSC shows a higher prevalence in the setting of EPDS.

Black Lives Matter, but What About Our Health?

In the setting of the current social and political climate, the focus on protection of Black lives in America has come to the forefront. We evaluate how health in the Black community should be a paramount concern that can be addressed in three ways: 1. Connecting the medical community to the Black community, empowering patients with knowledge, and diversifying the medical workforce. These three initiatives will help to decrease the health disparities seen in Black health.

Suture Selection to Minimize Postoperative Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Patients With Skin of Color During Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

The effects of suture selection on postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in patients with skin of color who have had Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are limited. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fast-absorbing gut sutures reduced the need for in-person follow-up visits without increasing the frequency of postoperative complications. Although absorbable gut sutures are popular, they are highly reactive and can induce inflammation in patients with skin of color. Choosing less inflammatory, nonabsorbable sutures can improve the cosmetic outcome for patients with skin of color who undergo MMS.

Melanoma Screening: The Ethics of Over- and Underdiagnosis.

Cutaneous melanoma is the fifth most diagnosed cancer in the United States and the incidence is increasing yearly. At present, population screening for melanoma is not recommended by national guidelines on account of insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms. Indeed, there remains significant controversy over whether screening for melanoma via increasing the frequency of routine skin checks leads to tangible long-term health benefits for patients. In this paper, we highlight how skin cancer screening can impose harms such as overdiagnosis and suggest that the principle of non-maleficence should play a greater role in the formulation of screening policies. We also explore the pressing issue of the underdiagnosis of melanoma in particular populations. In so doing, this paper underscores how the ethical duties of non-maleficence and justice must be balanced in current dermatological practice.

Evaluating resurfacing modalities in aesthetics.

Skin resurfacing for cutaneous rejuvenation has evolved with the development of a plethora of nonsurgical and minimally invasive modalities. We have highlighted the advances in laser therapy, chemical peels, radiofrequency, microneedling, and platelet-rich plasma therapy. We have also included studies providing head-to-head comparisons between procedures and discussed relevant debates in the field. We have examined additionally combination treatments and resurfacing in acne scars, melasma, and skin of color.

Two Cases of Malignant Proliferating Trichilemmal Tumor (MPTT) and Review of Literature.

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumors (MPTTs, malignant proliferating pilar tumors) are theorized to originate from the outer root sheath of the hair follicle which resembles the isthmic portion of the hair follicle and epithelium of the lower hair follicle in catagen phase.1 They may develop de novo or arise from a pre- existing trichilemmal cyst or proliferating trichilemmal tumor. The tumors typically present with rapid growth on the scalps of women over the age of 50. In this review, we present two cases of MPTT, presenting on the scalp of a 69-year-old woman and the scalp of a 53-year-old woman. Both tumors were successfully treated with surgery and radiation. In addition to the classic histologic features, pilomatrical differentiation was also seen in case 1, a histologic feature that has rarely been described. In this paper, we review previously reported cases and summarize basic demographics, lesion size, location, treatment method, and patient outcome.

Advice for applying to dermatology as an applicant of color: keep going.

Dermatology is one of the most competitive medical specialties to apply for residency. There is a lack of diversity in dermatology, and the cause is multifactorial. There often are many barriers for students of color gaining acceptance into dermatology. This article explores the personal experience of applying to dermatology as an applicant of color and outlines ways that future students of color can be successful in the match process for dermatology.

The Power of a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: Managing Unresectable and/or High-Risk Skin Cancers.

High-risk skin cancers can be difficult to treat for the dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Multidisciplinary tumor board conferences create a team of health care specialists focused on reviewing patient cases and offering advice on individualized management and treatment. These tumor board meetings create a space for multiple providers from different specialties to collaborate to craft an effective treatment plan for patients. Furthermore, they also provide up-to-date education in cutaneous oncology for residents, referring providers, and staff. Residents gain invaluable experience in managing patients with difficult or advanced skin cancers through participation in a tumor board.

Virtual conferences and e-learning in dermatology during COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a web-based, global survey.

During the pandemic, virtual conferences became the norm. We conducted a cross-sectional global study to assess dermatologists' responses to virtual conference and e-learning program attendance, as well as to discuss the status of such events during the pandemic. This web-based, global survey included 733 dermatologists. Primary outcomes are percentages of responders answering questions. Assessment of the relationship between two categorical variables was performed with the chi-square test. A substantial percentage of responders were willing to attend a virtual meeting (70.6%) or webinar (80.2%), or to conduct a webinar (47.3%). Among participants who provided resident or fellow training before the pandemic, 38% responded that they did not have any teaching systems in place during the pandemic. Virtual conference attendance was significantly associated with video conference attendance before the pandemic, webinar attendance, teledermatology (TD) use during the pandemic, future TD use, having training systems in place for residents or fellows (P < .001 for each), and North American location of participant (P = .001). Webinar attendance was associated with North American location, conducting webinars (P < .001 for each), and future TD use (P = .024). This pandemic has had a profound effect on dermatology conferences and e-learning programs. Attending video conferences and webinars or other online training was associated with TD use and future use, which indicates that these technologies are all here to stay.

Global impact on dermatology practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This contribution focuses on the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on dermatology practice. We discuss the impact on practice volume and procedures and on the considerable increase in teledermatology use. We also describe the important roles that dermatologists have played in enhancing infection prevention and on the frontline. During the crisis, dermatologists have faced the challenge of a shortage of resources, such as personal protective equipment, in the health care system. In addition, they have been involved in managing cutaneous manifestations related to COVID-19 and occupational disease caused by personal protective equipment. Dermatologists have made a diligent effort to identify melanoma and to ensure the treatment of high-risk skin cancers. Safety guidelines have been suggested to minimize the potential risks associated with the systemic use of immunosuppressant agents and immunomodulators in patients with severe inflammatory skin disease during the pandemic. Finally, social distancing necessitated that dermatology conferences take place virtually and teaching via e-learning increased.

Audiovisual stimulus during urodynamics to provoke detrusor overactivity: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study estimated the effect of adding an audiovisual (AV) intervention during urodynamic evaluation (UDE) on increasing detrusor contractions (DO) versus routine UDE testing without AV cues. METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted of women with overactive bladder (OAB) undergoing UDE with and without AV intervention. The AV intervention was a 1-minute video on continuous loop showing common OAB triggers. A continuous running waterfall provided auditory stimulation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who had DO on UDE, interpreted by masked clinicians. Secondary outcomes included the number, amplitude, and duration of DO and urinary leakage associated with DO. A sample size of 109 per group was calculated to have 80% power to detect a 20% difference with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: In all, 109 women each were randomized to standard UDE and to the AV intervention. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with DO on UDE between the intervention and control groups (35% vs 32%, respectively; P = 0.8). Furthermore, there were no differences between the intervention and control groups in leakage with DO on UDE (24% vs 21%, respectively), mean duration of detrusor contractions (23.9 vs 25.3 s, respectively), or mean maximum detrusor pressure during involuntary contractions (18.1 vs 20.6 cm H2 O, respectively). Clinical severity of OAB symptoms was not associated with the detection of DO or other UDE parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of AV intervention during UDE did not increase the finding of detrusor contractions. The relationship between OAB triggers, urge incontinence, and urodynamic findings remains unclear.

A 92-Year-Old Male with Eosinophilic Asthma Presenting with Recurrent Palpable Purpuric Plaques.

Churg-Strauss syndrome or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic vasculitis affecting the small and medium-sized vasculature. It is commonly associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Most patients are diagnosed at around the age of 40. We report a case of biopsy-confirmed Churg-Strauss syndrome in a 92-year-old male with a history of eosinophilic asthma and peripheral eosinophilia who was later diagnosed with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated With Nonsurgical Osteoarthritis Treatment Among Patients in Outpatient Clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patient demographic and clinical characteristics associated with osteoarthritis (OA) treatment use. METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of 3 clinical trials among patients with hip or knee OA conducted in Duke Primary Care practices, the Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC). At baseline, participants reported sociodemographic characteristics, OA-related pain and function, and OA treatment use, including oral analgesics, topical creams, joint injections, and physical therapy. Separate, multivariable logistic models (adjusted for clustering of clinics and providers for the Duke and VA cohorts) were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the associations between participant characteristics and each type of OA treatment. RESULTS: Oral analgesic use was reported by 70-82% of participants across the 3 cohorts. Physical therapy, knee injections, and topical creams were used by 39-52%, 55-60%, and 25-39% of Duke, VA, and UNC participants, respectively. In multivariable models, worse pain, stiffness, and function, per 5-unit increase, were associated with greater odds of using any oral analgesic for the cohorts from Duke (OR 1.18 [95% CI 1.08-1.28]) and UNC (OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.05-1.24]), but not for the VA cohort (OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.95-1.14]). For all 3 cohorts, nonwhites had higher odds of using topical creams compared to whites. CONCLUSION: Results suggest potential underutilization of therapies other than oral analgesics. Patient characteristics may affect OA treatment use, and understanding the relationship between these factors and OA treatment preferences may improve adherence to OA treatment guidelines.

A rare case of amelanotic anorectal melanoma.

We report an exceedingly rare case of amelanotic anorectal melanoma misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. A 74-year-old man presented with a week's history of "blood on toilet tissue" without bowel complaints or history of cutaneous melanoma. Skin evaluation was normal. Rectal exam was negative for blood, but revealed an anal nodule, interpreted as a hemorrhoid. Hemoglobin was normal; bleeding persisted. After one month, colonoscopy detected a non-pigmented anal lesion. Biopsy showed melanoma. Noncutaneous mucosal melanoma represents 0.03% of new cancer diagnoses Anorectal melanoma accounts for 1% of melanomas and 0.4% of anal malignancies. Uncommonly, this malignancy lacks melanin pigment, complicating detection. Presenting complaints are non-specific rectal bleeding, pain, itching or incontinence, mimicking more common disorders. Dangerous misdiagnosis occurs when benign disease, not malignancy, is suspected. Risk factors for cutaneous melanoma are less frequent. Mucosal melanoma has different genetics. Clinicians must be aware of diagnostic difficulties of anorectal melanoma, especially when amelanotic. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-09.asp].

Counseling Women on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Use While Maintaining Reproductive Justice.

[Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-10.asp].

Does Doctor Know Best? Cultural competence is patient-centered care.

[Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-10.asp].