The Joy of Dermatology
Chief Medical Editor
Journalist Nikki Finke, who covered Hollywood and relished exposing secrets, died recently at age 68. In 2007, she famously proclaimed to The New York Times, “A scoop is better than sex.” She said this to illustrate how much she loved uncovering and reporting on the news.
In dermatology, there are many things to love doing this much. Making a new scientific discovery. Identifying the contact allergen that has been causing a patient’s unrelenting, disabling dermatitis. Helping improve a patient’s quality of life with a fast-acting treatment that finally, after years, clears their chronic skin disease. Getting a patient to use their treatment well and seeing the resulting disease improvement.
Fortunately, we have more to offer patients than ever before, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that are faster acting and give much higher rates of complete disease resolution than previous treatment options. In this issue, Dr Michael Cameron gives us an update on the safety of JAK inhibitors. We also take a look at shared decision-making, which can help improve patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and outcomes.
Our dermatopathologist section editor Dr Abel Jarell begins his article this issue with these words, “One of the most satisfying and rewarding aspects of practicing dermatology is being able to provide calming reassurance to an anxious patient who presents with concerns about a new or worrisome-appearing lesion.” It is wonderful to experience the joy we get from patients who are relieved from worry or ecstatic with their disease clearing. Gosh, it is great to be a dermatologist!
