Keep Working
Chief Medical Editor
Sir Paul McCartney, an 80-year-old singer/songwriter from Liverpool, England, formed a band with some friends as a teen, and they did quite well. You may have heard of them. He recently played in Winston-Salem, NC, and it was a wonderful performance—3 straight hours of music with no intermission. Did I mention he is 80 years old?
I am fairly certain that the reason Paul tours is not that he needs money to put food on the table. He just seems passionate about what he does. Maybe he enjoys making people happy. He definitely made a stadium full of people joyful in Winston-Salem. I wonder if older practicing dermatologists are a lot like Paul. They probably are not working for the money, and they may be passionate about dermatology and enjoy helping their patients.
People could choose to see other entertainers than Paul, including those much younger than him. His voice is not what it used to be; I am sure there are young performers who have magnificent voices. Paul is an accomplished musician; however, I am sure there are younger players who can shred a guitar or tickle piano keys with greater speed. But people seem to like the old guy and what he offers. I bet patients like older doctors, too. There is probably a similar sense of trust and respect.
Paul wrote plenty of well-loved music when he was younger. His fans would be content just hearing his old tunes, but he continues to write new songs. Older dermatologists could treat patients with skills they developed many years ago but, like Paul, they continue to hone their craft and learn a fresh set list for their audience—their patients.
We have had huge developments in psoriasis management over the past 20 years, and novel approaches, both topical and systemic, continue to become available. This issue of The Dermatologist covers these developments, as well as articles on the pathophysiology of itch, rare conditions such as hidrocystoma of the conjunctiva, rhinophyma, spongiotic dermatitis, hiring a physician assistant, and much more. Even an old guy like me wants to learn this new material for my audience.
Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Editor
PS: I got to sing “Hey Jude” along with Paul McCartney…oh, my!
