Back by popular demand, Dr. Steven Feldman, Professor of Dermatology, Pathology and Public Health joins host Dr. Adam Friedman from GW School of Medicine to review his recent database dive entitled “Trends in Atopic Dermatitis Management: Comparison of 1990-1997 to 2003-2012.” What new trends, both good and bad, have emerged? What can we expect and hope for the future of AD care? What tricks of the trade do these two employ when utilizing systemic immunosuppressants? Itching for answers? Make sure to tune in. Listen to the Podcast here.
Along with the monthly JDD Podcast, GW residents have started an online segment in which the study author answers a few questions from residents on a range of topics. Up this month is a Q&A with Dr. Steven Feldman, M.D.
1. In your own treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis, what factors help you decide to make the next step from using topical therapies such as steroids or calcineurin inhibitors to systemic agents, either immunosuppressants or dupilumab?
I think it is a simple, but subjective, assessment of whether the patient can reasonably and effectively treat the extent of disease with topicals. If not, it’s time to go to a systemic (or perhaps phototherapy).
2. What is one piece of advice for current residents and young dermatologists?
Count your blessings! If you live today, you live in the best 1% of times in human history; if you live in the United States, you are blessed to be living in the top 1% of places to be; and if you are a doctor of any kind, you are in the top 1% of todays Americans. You are already in the top 1 millionth of all the people who have ever lived in terms of your quality of life. And being a dermatologist (instead of an internist) is a nice thick layer of icing on that cake!
3. What is one book everyone should read?
Compartments: How the Brightest, Best Trained, and Most Caring People Can Make Judgments That are Completely and Utterly Wrong. You can get it on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Compartments-Brightest-Trained-Judgments-Completely/dp/1441526323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520539446&sr=8-1&keywords=compartments+feldman
