Scalp Examinations for Patients With Skin of Color

Examining the Scalp in Patients With Skin of Color

When examining patients with skin of color who have alopecia, do not lean in from afar; get up close and touch the patient’s hair. Dissatisfaction with patient-physician discordant visits is often due to the physician not touching the patient.

Susan C. Taylor, MD
Philadelphia, PA

Personalized Photoprotection

I am big on a concept I call personalized photoprotection. Not everyone in every location needs the same level of sun protection. As we have seen from Swedish and other studies, excessive sun avoidance can be harmful too. Like most things in life, there is a balance. Skin type, skin cancer risk factors and history, photosensitivity, presence of pigmentation disorders, and photoaging prevention goals are some of the patient-specific factors I consider in my recommendations. One element I find quite helpful in combination with these factors is the UV index. Various apps and websites list the predicted and/or current UV index for the day, and some apps even have alerts, such as the risk of sunburn on a cloudy day. This information coupled with patient-specific factors allows us to customize photoprotection management. Engaging patients in their care with a concrete tool helps them better understand when and why sun protection is important.

Kesha Buster, MD
Tulsa, OK

Learn a Language

Learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and the words itch and pain in the top 5 languages spoken among your patients and in your area. Patients often appreciate that you have tried to speak their language, and many people find it amusing as well. Moreover, each time you see them, ask them to teach you 2 new words or short phrases. Practicing a language with your patients is a great bonding tool.

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto, Ontario, Canada