Literature Update Including Feedback on Telemedicine and Inaccurate Medial Information on Social Media
Long time SDPA favorite, Ted Rosen, MD, highlighted timely, intriguing and important updates found within the medical literature for 2022 in a presentation at the SDPA Annual Summer Dermatology Conference in Austin, Texas. He initiated the talk reviewing an article out of Sweden where patients report they are not receiving enough information from their physicians regarding melanoma. He called on PAs to ensure they give as much information as possible to their patients when diagnosing them with a melanoma as it can be a very anxiety provoking situation. Next, he discussed an article published in the British Journal of Dermatology which reviewed melanoma data across numerous countries showing differences in the presentation of subtypes of melanoma amongst different locations. Furthermore, Dr. Rosen reported the incidence of melanoma in multiple myeloma patients is much higher and has a higher mortality rate. These associations hold true regardless of ethnic and racial backgrounds of these patients. Dr. Rosen concluded that this information has shaped his practice to encourage full-body examinations in this patient population. Other research highlighted included skin cancer rates among solid organ transplant patients and an oral treatment for refractory Kaposi Sarcoma.
COVERAGE: SDPA Annual Summer Dermatology Conference, June 16-19, 2022, Austin, Texas
Dr. Rosen also reviewed data regarding the delivery of telemedicine. Themes of telemedicine delivery reveal patients over the age of 55 are less satisfied with the delivery of their care via telemedicine than those who are younger. Additionally, the majority of those surveyed preferred teledermatology as a follow-up choice, rather than for their first visit with a provider. Finally, it is important to note that confidentiality was listed as the highest concern for African-American patients when receiving telemedicine. Dr. Rosen reported that while telemedicine has its place in the delivery of care to patients, “sometimes it just won’t do it” when a provider needs to see the patient in person to feel a lesion or further investigate it with a dermatoscope.
The data in cosmetic medicine was further elucidated by Dr. Rosen. He reports that millennial patients seeking aesthetic facial procedures prefer these to be delivered all at once, rather than returning for separate treatments. In addition, a helpful tip was revealed for those patients who suffer from eyelid ptosis after the delivery of Botox. A temporary treatment can be 0.33% brimonidine gel applied to the area of ptosis. This can resolve up to 90% of the ptosis within an hour of application and last for a few hours. The use of Botox for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa was also reviewed.
Furthermore, Dr. Rosen discussed research regarding social media misinformation and medicine. It has been found that adolescents with acne can be highly influenced by misinformation derived from the internet. Examples of commonly stated misinformation regarding acne include candida as the main cause of acne, vegan cures for acne and reports of prescribed medications touted as “poisonous.” This came with another pearl for practice from Dr. Rosen where he encourages Pas to ask patients if they have any questions based on information they previously found online. The remainder of Dr. Rosen’s review covered a myriad of topics including infectious disease and psoriasis.
Byline: Sarah B.W. Patton, PA-C
Pictured: Ted Rosen, MD