A ten-year comparison of women authorship in U.S. dermatology literature, 1999 vs. 2009

Women are entering medicine at increasing rates, particularly in dermatology. In this study, we compared women’s influence and status in academic dermatology with that of men by examining authorship roles in peer-reviewed dermatology literature.Weexamined the literature in2009 and compared that to10 years prior (1999).Atotal of 1399 articles were reviewed, 594 of whichmet study criteria andwere included in statistical analysis. There was amarked increase in senior female authorship over a decade (22% vs. 38%, p b 0.001). Female first authorship increased as well (41% vs. 51%, p b 0.001). In contrast, changes in male senior and first authorship were not statistically significant. Federal funding for female senior authors increased over a decade (19% vs. 37%, p=0.05), and female senior authors in the 2009 cohort were more likely to hold a dual MD/PhD degree (0% vs. 11%, p=0.04) or pure PhD degree (11% vs. 27%, p = 0.04).Women are approaching parity with men in terms of authorship in the dermatology literature, and additional research training and attainment of federal funding have helped women publish as senior authors

A Catalog of Dermatology Utilities: A Measure of the Burden of Skin Diseases

Utilities are measures of quality of life that reflect the strength of individuals' preferences or values for a particular health outcome. As such, utilities represent a measure of disease burden. The aim of this article is to introduce the concept of utilities to the dermatology community and to present a catalog of dermatology utilities obtained from direct patient interviews. Our data are based on 236 total subjects from Grady Hospital (Atlanta, GA), Stanford Medical Center (Palo Alto, CA), and Parkland Hospital (Dallas, TX). The mean time trade-off utilities ranged from 0.640 for blistering disorders to 1.000 for alopecia, cosmetic, and urticaria. The mean utility across all diagnoses was 0.943. We present utilities for 17 diagnostic categories and discuss the underlying reasons for the significant disease burden that these utilities represent. We also present these dermatology categories relative to noncutaneous diseases to place the cutaneous utilities in perspective and to compare the burden of disease. We have demonstrated that skin diseases have considerable burden of disease and provided a preliminary repository of utility data for future researchers and policy makers

UV Radiation Protection by Handheld Umbrellas

The handheld umbrella (HU) is a commonly employed method of sun protection by women in many countries in Asia (45% in China1) and the Middle East. In Turkey, hats and umbrellas were found to be the most common photoprotection accessories.

Statin Use and Psoriasis Severity

Background Inflammation plays a key role in psoriasis. Statins reduce inflammatory markers. However, data in the literature are limited regarding the effect of statins in psoriasis patients. Objective To examine the role of statin therapy in psoriasis. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 232 psoriasis patients. Psoriasis severity was measured by the percentage of body surface area covered by psoriatic lesions. It was recorded at two time points: (1) the last visit during which a new psoriasis medication was started and (2) the patient's most recent clinic visit. Subjects were divided according to statin use status. Results Although the statin users had a greater reduction in psoriasis severity, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Our data suggest that future work regarding the impact of statin use on psoriasis severity is warranted. </jats:sec

Video-based education about systemic corticosteroids enhances patient knowledge more than verbal education: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Video-based patient education about long-term systemic corticosteroid treatment has not been assessed.Objective: To compare video-based versus verbal education in patient knowledge gained and satisfaction.Methods: English-speaking adults (≥18 years) were recruited from March-August 2013 from medical dermatology clinics. Study provider clinics were the unit of randomization. Verbal subjects heard a script based on the standard discussions of two top systemic corticosteroid prescribers at Emory. Video subjects viewed a video developed by the investigators. A 12-item survey created by the the investigators assessed baseline and post-education knowledge (immediate, one-, three-, and six-month).Results: Baseline knowledge scores averaged 7.2±2.2 correct answers with no between-group differences. Post-education, the video group’s (N=39) mean paired score difference was 0.9±2.0 higher than the verbal group’s (p&lt;0.04). After 1 month, most scores maintained gains with no between-group differences. 97% of patients in each group were satisfied (none were unsatisfied) with their education.Limitations: Our cohort was more literate than the general public, and a minority of subjects completed long-term follow up assessments.Conclusion: Video education enhanced near-term patient knowledge more than verbal education and maintained patient satisfaction

Video-based education about systemic corticosteroids enhances patient knowledge more than verbal education: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Video-based patient education about long-term systemic corticosteroid treatment has not been assessed.Objective: To compare video-based versus verbal education in patient knowledge gained and satisfaction.Methods: English-speaking adults (≥18 years) were recruited from March-August 2013 from medical dermatology clinics. Study provider clinics were the unit of randomization. Verbal subjects heard a script based on the standard discussions of two top systemic corticosteroid prescribers at Emory. Video subjects viewed a video developed by the investigators. A 12-item survey created by the the investigators assessed baseline and post-education knowledge (immediate, one-, three-, and six-month).Results: Baseline knowledge scores averaged 7.2±2.2 correct answers with no between-group differences. Post-education, the video group’s (N=39) mean paired score difference was 0.9±2.0 higher than the verbal group’s (p&lt;0.04). After 1 month, most scores maintained gains with no between-group differences. 97% of patients in each group were satisfied (none were unsatisfied) with their education.Limitations: Our cohort was more literate than the general public, and a minority of subjects completed long-term follow up assessments.Conclusion: Video education enhanced near-term patient knowledge more than verbal education and maintained patient satisfaction