"NOT ANOTHER RASH!" 

(GETTING BETTER AT DERMATOLOGY)

SUGGESTIONS to the PA for DERMATOLOGY SELF-EDUCATION


RECOMMENDED BOOKS TO READ/DERMATOLOGY

(1)  Fitzpatrick TB, et al.  Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, Common and Serious Diseases, 3d ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York. 1994 

(2)  Arndt KA; Robinson JK; LeBoit PE; Wintroub BU, et al. Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia. 1996 

(3)  Goldstein BG, Goldstein AO.  Practical Dermatology, Primary Care Series. Mosby Year Book, St. Louis. 1992 

(4)  duVivier A.  Dermatology In Practice.  J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. Gower Medical Publishing. 1990 

(5)  Weinberg, S.  The Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology, 2d ed. McGraw-Hill, Inc.,  New York. 1990. 

(6)  Cox.  Diagnostic Picture Tests in Clinical Dermatology, ISBN#:0-7234-2193-5 ($19.95) or Levene, G.M.  Diagnostic Picture Tests in Dermatology, ISBN#: 0-7234-0910-2. 

(7)  Regional Dermatology, by Gary White, published by McGraw-Hill. 

(8)  Little Black Book of Dermatology, by Stanford Lamberg, MD.  Blackwell Science.  http://www.blackwellscience.com.  ISBN: 0632045191.  Lists skin diseases by SYMPTOMS, rather than by name.  For more information, please contact Kathleen Mulcahy (781) 388 8250. 

ADVANCED READING

(1)  Shelley, WB, Shelley, ED. Advanced Dermatologic Diagnosis. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia. 1992. 

(2) Fitzpatrick, JE & Aeling, JL. Dermatology Secrets. Hanley & Belfus (& Mosby), 1996. ISBN#1-56053-124-X. 

INTERNET

Go TO the DERM PA's WEBSITE http://www.pacifier.com/~jomonroe to link up to 100+ dermatology-related websites at the "Dermatologist Index." You must have access to WWW (World Wide Web), of course. There are numerous dermatology-related URL (Universal Resource Locator) sites/places you can go (with a browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer) that have dermatology information, educational courses, derm drug research, acne and melanoma info, and excellent slide photos (hundreds). With a good monitor, you can see the skin pores. 

One I highly recommend is, "You Can Become an Expert at Diagnosing Melanomas" found at the website of http://matrix.ucdavis.edu/tumors/new/tutorial-intro.html. 

A great site, listed by disease, discussing diagnoses and treatment IDEAS (ideas only--NOT ADVICE!!) is at: http://matrix.ucdavis.edu/rxderm-archives.  However, it does not seem to be kept up to date any longer. 

MASTER'S DEGREE with Concentration in DERMATOLOGY

The "Distant Learning Option" PA Master's program, with concentration in dermatology, is available through the University of Nebraska.  Contact Jesse Edwards (FAX: 402 559 5356); write to him at: Univ of Neb PA Program DLO, 600 South 42 St., Omaha, NE 68198-4300.

DERMATOLOGY PA RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

While only two 1-year dermatology PA residency programs exist, others are underway as of this writing (March, 2001). 

    (1) The Derm Dept at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas sponsors an intensive 1-year dermatology training program for physician assistants.  Application deadline is March 1 each year.  For further information and an application contact Jo Urquhart at (214) 648-8806, FAX (214) 648-7678, or E-mail, Jo.Urquhart@UTSouthwestern.edu. 

    (2) For information/application for the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine/Northeast Regional Medical Center, write P.O. Box 7545, Kirksville, MO 63501.  Phone: (816) 626-2191. Applicants there must be a PA graduate from a CAHEA-approved Primary Care PA program, NCCPA certified or eligible, certified in ACLS, and possess a Missouri PA license; upon completion, he/she will receive a joint NRMC/KCOM certificate, and may be eligible for a Master's degree from KCOM. Salary is negotiable depending on experience, 7 days vacation, 7 days sick, CME time allowed + $1000, paid health, disability & malpractice insurance, two lab coats, meals provided while on duty, and deferment of student loans while enrolled.  Moonlighting is allowed if it does not interfere with duties and is approved by the program director.

Another idea: some supervising physicians have and MAY be able to arrange for you to spend a few months training at their local dermatology residency training program, along with derm residency students.  You/they might inquire about such. 

Masters programs with concentration in dermatology are available through the Univ of Nebraska and Nova Southwestern University in Florida. 

CD ROMS -  B A S I C   DERM

1.  "Illustrated Dermatology: Synopsis of Diagnosis and Treatment" by Drs. David McLean, and Arthur J. Sober.  Concise description of over 450 prevalent dermatoligical pathologies, including treatment and differential diagnosis;  2000 high resolution color images; updated yearly; $195 includes a $50 discount voucher for future editions; phone 1-800-346-0085, Ext. 477 or FAX: 218 723 9433. 

2.  "Clinical Dermatology Illustrated: A Regional Approach."  There is a good review of this CD-ROM product by Jason Chao, MD, in the May 1994 issue of The Journal of Family Practice.  In a nutshell, it contains text by John R.T. Reeves (heard frequently on Audio-Digest) and is written for the primary care practitioner about common skin conditions.  There are 340 color photographs and some of the pictures have a soundtrack recording of Dr. Reeves giving some "pearls" from his personal experience.  Also included: 15 patient education guides, a formulary section, and 20 hours of CME credit. Price for individuals: $199. Publisher: Continuing Medical Education Associates, 4015 Hancock St., Ste. 120, San Diego, CA 92110. 

3.  Physicians SilverPlatter MEDLINE, Dermatology, Item #175, Information from 1966 to present.  $295, also from Continuing Medical Associates, Inc.: 1-800-227-2632. Website: http://www.cmea.com. 

4.  "Blackwell Science's Textbook of Dermatology," $295, Reference tool database. 

5.  "Roopk/Wilkinson/Ebling's Textbook of Dermatology", 5th edition. Hardcopy is 4 volumes.  Also by CMEA, 1-800-227-2632.  See website above. 

6.  One of our members recommends Mosby's "Clinical Dermatology"  3rd edition by Habif, in both the hardback book and the CD. This CD is GREAT!!!  It's interactive, has lots of help screens and includes complete formularies for all diseases including how supplied. It has a differential diagnosis screen...type in papule or macule, etc., and body region and a complete differential appears on a pop up screen...from there you can highlight one or several Dx's and put pictures on a "lightbox" to compare photos and text for each one highlighted.  When looking through the text of a subject, you can highlight whatever you want and then print the file and your highlights are printed within the remainder of the text.  It's a very fast program and quite easy with exhaustive subjects, references, and over 2200 pictures. "Clinical Dermatology" 3rd edition by Habif in both the hardback book and the CD, $299 --Mosby-Year Book, Inc., 11830 Westline Ind. Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146-3318;   1-800-426-4545    Book Code 28281, ISBN 0815141890. 
 

AAD, SDPA & AAPA ANNUAL CONFERENCES/OTHER


The obvious, of course, are derm lectures at the American Academy of Dermatology and the more basic derm CME at the American Academy of Physician Assistant conferences.  You may also wish to seek participation in local dermatology Grand Rounds, Morphology conferences, tumor boards, or set up a personal rotation with a local dermatologist or with a dermatology Physician Assistant. The Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants offers CME twice a year to members and non-members.  Contact Rose at: sdpa@dermpa.org.
 
 

RESEARCH/PATIENT SUPPORT GROUPS and E-MAIL ON-LINE HELP

For information about skin-disease patient support groups, contact the Coalition of Patient Advocates for Skin Disease Research (CPA-SDR), at:  CPA-SDR ,  710 C St, #11, San Rafael, CA 94901, (415) 456-4644, FAX: 415 456 4274.  Their newsletters are very informative and give insight into your patient's difficulties; ask if you can subscribe to it. The list is also found on our website. 
 

SIX DERMATOLOGISTS OFFER TRAINING/PRECEPTORSHIPS/Student Rotations

(1)  Dermatologist "is interested in training PA's": Contact Douglas Hamilton, MD, 12021 Wilshire Blvd, #299, Los Angeles, CA 90025; 818 884 7150; FAX 818 884 1254.  "LOVES PAs and LOVES to teach." 
(2) Need a week or two with a dermatologist?  Dr. Mark Kuriata, dermatologist/previously a PA-C, started the first derm PA program at Kirksville, MO.  He is now practicing in St. Joseph, Michigan. "I still want to support the residency and SDPA.  As I gain more influence, I will continue to push for improved relations between PAs and dermatologists in general."  His practice: Advanced Dermatology, 2996 Niles Road St. Joseph, MI 49085; Tel. 616-429-SKIN, FAX 616-429-0807. "You can let others know that I would be happy to let anyone spend time with me whether they are PA students or just want to get another perspective of derm training."  --Mark 
Kuriata, D.O. 
(3)  For a derm rotation/training in FLORIDA, contact Dr. Joel Wilentz, 954-454-1066.  He gives lectures at NOVA sometimes for review courses. 
(4)  3/15/00 Hector L. Franco, MD, 10500 VISTA DEL SOL #C, EL PASO, TEXAS  79925.  E-mail:  hfranco@pol.net.  phone 915 598 1959, FAX: 915 598 1986. 
(5)  3/15/00  David E. Kent, MD, Macon, GA, Coliseum Med Cntr, 330 Hospital Dr Bldg C Ste 208, Macon, GA  31201;  912-742-2180; FAX 912-745-2623.   dekent@mindspring.com."  P O Box 53401, Macon, GA  31208; FAX 912 745 2623. 
(6)  3/15/00  Dr. Jonathan L. Held, MD, 190 Groton Rd, Ayer, MA  01432; 508 772 7221, FAX 508 772 9283.  Located at a community hospital, Deaconess Hospital, one hour west of Boston. 

LASER TRAINING

Derm PA Johane VanCamp and physician spouse conduct laser serminars in Bend, Oregon.  Contact them for more information, and visit their website: www.lasermedicalcenter.com.

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