In the newest JDD Podcast, “Pledge to Protect? Highlighting Flaws with the Isotretinoin Safety Monitoring”, Ask the Investigator, host Dr. Adam Friedman of GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences is joined by Albert Einstein College of Medicine Chief of Dermatology Dr. Steven Cohen for a throw back podcast covering his landmark 2016 JDD study entitled “iPLEDGE Weaknesses: Is It Time to Address the Flaws?”which highlights the incomplete and inaccurate monitoring of the iPLEDGE Program . Tune in to hear how this multi-center study identified a high percentage of inaccuracies with iPLEDGE patient monitoring. 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 Cohen.
In your JDD podcast interview you recommended starting isotretinoin at 1.5 mg/kg and increasing by 0.25 mg/kg monthly until the patient is no longer getting new acne lesions. What is the maximum dose of isotretinoin you use?
The maximum dose rarely exceeds 2.0 mg/kg but I have gone as high as 2.5 mg/kg a few times during nearly 40 years of using isotretinoin.
What is one piece of advice for current residents and young dermatologists?
I aspire to follow and extend the wise council of Francis Weld Peabody, MD, of the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory in the Boston City Hospital, who wrote on “The Care of the Patient.” The final sentence reads: “One of the essential qualities of the clinician is an interest in humanity, for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.” (JAMA 1927; 88:877-882)
What is one book everyone should read?
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
by Shunryu Suzuki, Trudy Dixon (Editor), Huston Smith (Preface), Richard Baker (Introduction)
