April 17
IN THIS ISSUE / April 17, 2019
- Having trouble accessing compounded quinacrine tablets? Here’s why.
- DW Insights and Inquiries: A ‘pregnant pause’ is necessary before concluding on the obstetric risk of vitiligo
- Lessons learned from the customer service world
- Let’s talk about leading care teams and other elephants in the room
- Who are the happiest dermatologists? New survey results have answers.
- NIH to honor dermatologist Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, on May 3
- Academy committee volunteers need to update their disclosures
Having trouble accessing compounded quinacrine tablets? Here’s why.
Patients are having trouble filling prescriptions for compounded quinacrine tablets after an inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the only manufacturer of the compounded medication to be noncompliant with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The medication was placed on import alert since the manufacturer is located internationally, shutting down all importation of quinacrine to the U.S. until the manufacturer takes the steps necessary to remedy the deficiencies and undergo re-inspection. In addition, the FDA and pharmacy groups are exploring having another manufacturer that is already registered with the FDA produce the bulk drug ingredient.
The AADA is working with the FDA, American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA), and other pharmacy groups as well as lupus patient advocacy groups to facilitate access to this important medication. Learn more about what’s happening with drug shortages and what’s being done about it in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- Why are physicians out of the loop on current drug prices and costs to patients? – Dermatology World (February 2019)
- AAD product: 2019 Annual Meeting On-Demand Recordings
Patients may notice a variety of factors that they perceive as vitiligo precipitants, including friction, sunburn, drug eruptions, irritant dermatitis, scratches on the skin, surgery, and pregnancy. Does gestational vitiligo affect the outcome of pregnancy?
As autoimmune disorders are known to have adverse effects on pregnancy and perinatal outcome, including recurrent spontaneous abortions, prematurity, and perinatal mortality, Horev et al performed a retrospective comparative study comparing pregnancy complications of patients with and without vitiligo. They evaluated 186,222 singleton deliveries, finding 79 (0.04%) patients with vitiligo. Vitiligo was not found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including obstetric risk factors, labor characteristics and complications, and birth outcome. Acknowledging the limitation that this was a retrospective study, the authors concluded that vitiligo is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and these women need not be managed differently from the general obstetric population. Keep reading!
Lessons learned from the world of customer service
“I will never forget the first time I encountered the concept of “patient-as-customer.” Back in the days of grueling 30-hour shifts as an internal medicine intern, I was called to the emergency room around midnight to admit a middle-aged woman with abdominal pain. She relayed to me a long history of vague abdominal symptoms and multiple hospitalizations with no clear diagnosis, making it clear that she thought that her previous doctors were morons who couldn’t manage to make sense of her mysterious disease. She was sure that I was smarter and nicer than they had been.” Keep reading Dr. Jacks' story.
Let’s talk about leading care teams and other elephants in the room
Theodore Rosen, MD, who recently completed his term as AAD vice president, takes on an interview with Dermatology World Weekly to unpack the varying and passionate opinions dermatologists have about non-physician clinicians and the role of board-certified dermatologists leading care teams. The Academy's position statement on the Practice of Dermatology: Protecting and Preserving Patient Safety and Quality Care provides guidance to members on the role of non-physician clinicians on care teams led by a board-certified dermatologist.
Recognizing the trend in medicine toward care teams, the AAD Board of Directors included a goal in the AAD 2019 Strategic Plan that aims to enhance resources for those board-certified dermatologists that lead care teams. Whether members employ non-physician clinicians or not, the appropriate role of non-physician clinicians continues to be a controversial topic for the specialty. However, Dr. Rosen doesn’t back down, challenging the Academy to provide better, and more meaningful, resources to those board-certified dermatologists leading care teams. Keep reading!
Who are the happiest dermatologists? New survey results have answers.
According to a recent Academy survey that measured the happiness of 1,125 dermatologists in various practice models, the majority of dermatologists — nearly 75% — are happy in their current job setting. Only 10% identified as not happy. What makes dermatologists happy? Patient interactions (85%), autonomy in treatment decisions (80%), and having a variety of patient cases (72%) were the top three noted. What makes dermatologists unhappy? Insurance interference with treatment plans (66%), time spent documenting patient visits in an EHR (57%), and EHR systems (40%) were the top three issues.
The happiest dermatologists identified the following common characteristics: A level of autonomy; flexibility in their schedules; good compensation; working in dermatology-owned groups or a practice managed by dermatologists; seeing a variety of patient cases; working in practices with fewer than 50 dermatologists practice-wide; and having adequate support staff. There were no differences in happiness across sub-specialties.
The survey establishes a benchmark on common drivers of happiness among dermatologists given rapidly changing practice trends and explores the characteristics that tend to make dermatologists unhappy. Survey results show that seven out of 10 dermatologists are practicing in groups, including academic and multispecialty groups. Only two out of 10 dermatologists are in solo practice. More than half of all dermatologists have an ownership stake in their practice, including shareholders and partners. Watch for more information about this survey in future issues of Dermatology World.
Are you feeling the burn? Read about sources of dermatologist burnout and mitigating strategies in Dermatology World.
NIH to honor dermatologist Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, on May 3
The National Institutes of Health is celebrating the life of dermatologist Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, who served as director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (NIAMS) from 1995 until his death in December. The celebration will take place May 3 from 1:30 to 3 PM on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Those who wish to attend in person should RSVP. Those who cannot attend but wish to view the event can watch via NIH videocast. The invitation notes, "This special event will commemorate Dr. Katz’s achievements as an exemplary biomedical researcher, steadfast leader, and dedicated public servant. The program will include music and remarks by family members, colleagues, and trainees."
DW Weekly will include a reminder about the event on May 1.
Dr. Katz was beloved in dermatology, as Dermatology World Physician Editor Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, wrote following his passing. Read her remembrance.
Related Content:
- AAD mourns the passing of Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD - DW Weekly (Jan. 9, 2019)
- AAD Annual Meeting lectures of note - Dermatology World (March 2016)
- Donate to the Strauss & Katz World Congress Fund Scholarship
Academy committee volunteers need to update their disclosures
All members serving within the AAD/A governance structure need to update their conflict of interest disclosure form and agree to the other required policies incorporated within it. At its March meeting, the Board of Directors approved a new governance policy. The new “AAD/A Committee Member Copyright Assignment, Confidentiality, and COI Agreement” policy has also been incorporated into the conflict of interest disclosure form and all members serving within the governance structure are asked to read the policy and update their conflict of interest disclosure form.
The new policy requires members to acknowledge the proprietary and confidential nature of the work conducted within the Academy governance structure and understand that the work products created within that structure are the intellectual property of the Academy rather than committee members.
