Dermatology

Navigating the rising challenges of dermatology residency applications

Physician
August 24, 2023

The path to becoming a dermatologist has become increasingly challenging in recent years. This is due, in part, to the competitive environment of residency applications, as well as the increasing emphasis on research output. In their publication, “Research Fever—An Ever More Prominent Trend in the Residency Match,” Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Adashi note that the number of research publications on residency applications has increased significantly over the past decade. This …

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Transform your life with 10 powerful tips for health and happiness

Physician
August 2, 2023

Separately, we discovered many of the same helpful tips that neither of us learned in a combined fifty-six years of education and training; we have each found comfort, sustenance, and direction from them. When we recently discussed wellness in our department, Alicia shared resources she had found useful in navigating the stressors of physician life. Christine was reluctant to talk about the subject at all, and together we found commonalities. …

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Dermatology at a crossroads: an urgent case for value-based care

Physician
July 24, 2023

Over the past decade, the medical field has witnessed a profound shift—a transformative movement fueled by the commitment to render patient-centered, cost-effective care. This sweeping change is characterized by the transition from a volume-based to a value-based model of health care. While several medical specialties have responded to this call for change and started implementing value-based systems, dermatology has been relatively slow on the uptake. The need for a robust …

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Insider secrets: 10 must-know tips for mastering medical appointments

Physician
July 16, 2023

Since December 2022, I have attended over 60 medical appointments, ranging from 15 minutes to as long as 6 hours. Some appointments were as short as 15 minutes, while others required a minimum of 3 hours. Through these numerous health care visits, which collectively amount to more than 60 hours, I have gained valuable insights. Here are my top 10 tips based on my experiences:

Check the location and plan ahead. …

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Insurance profits over patients’ lives: Doctors battle for proper care 33 times a week

Physician
July 16, 2023

“I can’t afford higher,” Bobby’s (identifying information changed) mom explains when asked about his low dose. As Bobby’s dermatologist, I prescribed Accutane, curing 80 percent of acne with a six-month course. Insurance denied, requiring doxycycline. I rarely give antibiotics, following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Antibiotics build resistance and aren’t curative, resulting in more scarring. Rejecting Medicaid’s incorrect treatment, Bobby’s mom is paying for the appropriate treatment, …

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How artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming dermatology diagnosis and treatment

Tech
July 10, 2023

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is no less than a modern revolution. As we progress in the digital age, the capabilities of AI continue to expand, facilitating advancements in countless fields. One such field is health care, where AI has the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. A shining example of this is the utilization of large language models, such as OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), …

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Revealing the hidden impact of skin conditions

Conditions
July 8, 2023

During my internal medicine residency, I rotated through various subspecialties, but the one that always gave me thought-provoking perspectives at the end of the day was dermatology. I was very excited to work in derma and learn how to treat basic clinical conditions like acne, hair fall, dermatitis, etc., at the back of my hand. However, my daily clinics opened my eyes to a new Pandora’s box of issues in …

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The truth behind overpriced medical laser devices: What physicians need to know

Physician
July 7, 2023

The medical aesthetic field is experiencing significant growth, with an expected market valuation of billions by 2023. As the demand for non-invasive aesthetic procedures rises, physicians are increasingly enticed by medical laser devices. However, this industry is plagued by underhanded sales tactics and excessively priced equipment, leaving physicians at a loss.

The overpriced landscape of medical laser devices. Medical laser devices, although technologically advanced and effective, are notorious for their exorbitant prices. …

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More than skin deep: the importance of culturally competent care in medical education

Education
June 26, 2023

The very first patient I met in the rheumatology clinic at SUNY Downstate heard I was applying to medical school and pulled me close to her, saying, “I want you to feel the swelling in my hands.” She took great care to ensure I palpated each joint and appreciated the warmth, erythema, and “boggy” feeling imparted by the inflammation. She explained her medical history and was very specific with her …

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How to maximize your dermatology appointment for effective care

Physician
June 17, 2023

An office visit with a health care professional can seem like a race against time and money. With rising co-pays and shorter appointments, arriving prepared for a health care appointment will maximize the likelihood of addressing as many concerns as possible and developing a personalized treatment plan. Below are the ways you can prepare for your upcoming dermatologist appointment.

Keep track of your scheduled appointments and arrive early.

Know the day and …

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Uncovering the truth about skincare: a dermatologist’s perspective [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 17, 2023
YouTube video

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In this episode, we have Fayne Frey, a dermatologist and author of The Skincare Hoax: How You’re Being Tricked into Buying Lotions, Potions & Wrinkle Cream.

We delve into the world of skincare and the billions of dollars …

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Discover the reality of living with hidradenitis suppurativa [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 24, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

In this episode, we speak with Christopher Sayed, a dermatologist who has dedicated his career to studying and treating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a condition that causes painful boils in areas like the underarms, groin, and …

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Why does it take 10 years to diagnose this common disease?

Conditions
November 15, 2022

Every day, patients with the same story walk into my office. Young people in their teens, 20s or 30s are exasperated and seeking help for constant painful boils that drain the pus in underarms, groin, and around breasts — a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This disease often makes their lives a nightmare. Despite being a more common condition than once thought, many patients see providers for 7 to 10 …

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Want your skin to look better? Then consider your mental health. 

Conditions
June 3, 2022

Despite a popular embrace of self-care and the growing awareness of trauma-like symptoms stemming from COVID, one facet of mental health remains widely overlooked: the way our emotional state affects our skin.

Although most of us don’t think about it regularly, our mental state impacts our bodies from head to toe, and the skin—the largest, most visible organ of the human body—is not an exception.

Over the last …

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A call to dismantle structural heteronormative care

Policy
May 29, 2022

“That is a very heteronormative lens.”

These words were uttered to me by a 23-year-old female patient as I explained i-PLEDGE and the steps she must complete to take oral isotretinoin.

The visit started as fairly routine. A young female presented with a complaint of acne. I quickly appraised the patient on entering. She was petite, with a blonde pixie cut. She wore clothes that …

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Think TikTok is smarter than me? Then I’m not the right doctor for you.

Physician
November 27, 2021

“I don’t think I am the right doctor for you.”

In over 20 years of practice, I had never uttered those words before this year. Now, as my medical assistant of 20 years remarks, almost two years into the pandemic, I say it almost daily.

I like to think I am a good physician and listener, spending most of the outpatient visit time trying to understand what it is that the patient …

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Chlorophyll, acne, and TikTok: Should these mix?

Social media
June 17, 2021

Available in 155 countries, found in 75 different languages, and having at least 689 million monthly active users worldwide, the social media platform, TikTok, has taken the online world by force since its arrival in 2016. Its ability for users to create brief, 5 to 60 second long videos, while tagging their video content using “hashtags” (#) and establishing “followers” has made TikTok …

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Confession from a female doctor: I am sexist

Physician
June 2, 2021

Maybe it’s a testament to a hardy relationship that there was no resulting argument. Without thinking, I blurted out, “You are so sexist!” I could immediately tell by my husband’s face, his upper eyelids and eyebrows lifted a bit, his mouth freeze-framed in a small “o” — my exclamation surprised and insulted him. Maybe it was a completely unfair assessment; after all, he was standing at the sink, his hands …

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3 strategies for matching into a competitive specialty, even with a lower USMLE score 

Education
December 6, 2020

For applicants seeking to match into a competitive specialty, it can be challenging.  In fact, it’s not uncommon for programs to receive over 100 applications for a single residency position.  To sort through that many applications, many programs use filters. One type of filter is a USMLE “cut-off” score:  applicants who don’t score above a certain minimum won’t be considered further.

That’s why, for applicants with lower-than-average USMLE scores, my advice …

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CME Spotlights