Everybody needs some sweet okole. Keola and Kopono Beamer Abstract: Recurrent herpes simplex of the sacrum and buttocks is commonly seen by dermatologists but rarely described in the literature. These patients can be helped by timely administration of acyclovir (famcyclovir or valcyclovir). Since recurrent sacral and buttock herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can be associated with neurologic symptoms (sciatica, urinary retention, low back pain) it is important to recognize for primary care physicians, orthopedists, physical therapists and urologists. Case Report: The patient is a 77-year-old woman who presented for evaluation of a recurrent localized blistering eruption on the right buttock. This has occurred off and on for two to three … Continue reading
Medicine’s Drift From Patient Care
by George Reizner, M.D. Introduction After 30 years in dermatology, I have the luxury of looking back on the arc of my career and to reflect on the changes witnessed. The following are a few transformative areas that now shape my experience and some random thoughts. This is not meant to be complete and certainly is not authoritative. Rather, these are ramblings that may reinforce or trigger your own thinking about where we’ve been and where were going. It is periodically healthy to take inventory when the topic is so complex and multilayered. Good luck as you wonder through my notes. PDF: Hot Spots thoughts Reizner
AMA – Industry Link
We have observed an exciting new trend. Professional journals have started arriving with adverts glued to their covers. First, the Academy of Dermatology’s flagship journal, the JAAD, recently touted Topicort Spray. Now, the July 2015 issue of the the AMA’s journal JAMA Dermatology has its table of contents obscured by a cover ad for Cosentyx, a new biologic for psoriasis. At ~ $44,000 per year per patient, if prescribed by one busy dermatologist, that might come close to the revenue the AMA gets for prominent placement of this annoying drug promotion. All one cay say is WTF! We can’s wait to see the Direct To Consumer Advertisements on TV!! Cover … Continue reading
The Care of Patients
More humanism and less science, that’s what medicine needs. But, humanism is hard work,and a lot of science is just Tinkertoy. Robertson Davies, The Cunning Man David J. Elpern, MD Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002;47:317-8. Author’s note (July 2015): I wrote this report based on an office study I did in 2000. Originally, it had a number of tables, but the editors truncated the paper, thus confirming the saying, “A camel is a horse designed by a committee.” Still, I often reminisce on the research’s findings: that almost all of our patients need our specialized knowledge and our comfort and caring, while only some require our technical … Continue reading
Academy-PhRMA Liason
This flier came attached to the July issue of The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Topicort Spray is hardly a unique product and it will run a patient ~ $600 for what appears to be a 60 ml bottle. The business of PhRMA is business. The business of a professional society should be knowledge and service. Sir Thomas Browne famously wrote: No one should enter the Temple of Science with the soul of a money changer. The leaders of our professional societies should follow that precept. Also see AMA-Dermatology July 2015 cover. July 29, 2015: Late Breaking! The Topicort rhino was seen today on two new publications. 1. … Continue reading
Meet Mr. Marsh
To talk of disease is an Arabian nights experience. Osler David Elpern’s Book Review with Excerpts of: Do Not Harm by Henry Marsh You are invited to spend some time with Mr. Marsh, an eloquent neurosurgeon who escorts us into his operating theatre, his parent’s home as his mother lies dying, interminable maddening administrative meetings in his NHS hospital and to accompany him to Ukraine where he has volunteered as a surgeon for over 20 years. You’ll share his triumphs and suffer the sadness and humiliation of his mistakes and failures. His war stories are captivating; as are his anecdotes about his family, his education and his jousting with the … Continue reading
Ebola: Here Today and Gone Tomorrow
by Lawrence Eron Turtle Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, August 23, 2016 Author’s notes on Ebola Presentation: PDF L. Eron’s Ebola Notes
My Narrow Road Through Cyber-Medicine
by David J. Elpern This essay is the basis of a talk delivered at the Jag Bhawan, M.D. Research Symposium held on July 6, 2015 at the Boston University School of Medicine. Abstract: Herein, I chronicle a 25-year medical odyssey through the universe of personal and professional cyberspace. These explorations continue, but the author does not know the next ports-of-call; He can only “hope the voyage is a long one,/full of adventure, full of discovery.” Keywords: cybermedicine, blogs, pathography, Cell 2 Soul, MedFlix, Pathography Blog, VGRD Word File: My-Narrow-Road-Final PDF: The Narrow Road Through Cyber Medicine 7.15 PowerPoint: The Narrow Road – Jag Talk (this may take ~ 20 seconds … Continue reading
A Fish Named Heather: Another casualty in the drug wars
We have had a crazy drug policy in the U.S. since 1914, and we dictate it to most of the world. The War on Drugs is masterfully covered in Johann Hari’s important new book, “Chasing the Scream.” The small players in the drug wars are easily entrapped. Witness the sad case of Heather Alfonso, a Connecticut nurse practitioner who has been indicted for getting kickbacks from Insys Therapeutics, the maker of the powerful pain medication, Subsys. Ms. Alfonso is being pilloried while thousands of physicians give worthless CME lectures on medications every day in the U.S. She was a dupe to her handler (a PhARMA product manager) in the company’s … Continue reading
Akamai Skin Works
Announcement: Coming Soon to Havi Welcome to The Akamai Skin Works (ASW). Our new suite, in the penthouse of the Third Millennium Medical Building, houses the vanguard of 21st Century dermatologic care. It is a model endorsed by the Global Academy of Skin Physicians and Minimally-Effective Physician Extenders (GASP-MEPE). We are at the cutting edge of efficient, rapid and profit-driven dermatology and minimally-effective, but maximally lucrative, medical care. Akamai’s founder, Dr. Liam Ganifski, and his team of associate dermatologists, physician extenders, medical assistants, front desk greeters, billing specialists, scribes, cosmetic consultants, estheticians and lawyers are here to address your every cutaneous need. Just bring a valid insurance card, credit card … Continue reading
