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Telemed J E Health 2021 Mar 1. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Dermatology Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.

Clinical Trials Registration: NCT03241589. Read More

Front Genet 2020 15;11:537743. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

As genetic testing becomes increasingly utilized in health care, consumer awareness and understanding is critical. Both are reported to be low in Australia, though there are limited studies to date. A consumer survey assessed perceived knowledge, awareness and attitudes toward genetic medicine, prior to consumers' genomics forums in Queensland in 2018 and 2019. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2020 Apr 15;26(4). Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA.

Because there are important distinctions between ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing, accurate and effective patient education is paramount. However, as more patients use the internet as a resource for medical information, little is known about the content and readability of these sources. Thus, we sought to evaluate the readability of major online resources about laser resurfacing while recognizing the recommendations by the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 May;19(5):532-538

Background: Many dermatologists consider social media to be a useful tool for building their practices and personal brands. However, limited data exists on patients’ perceptions of the value of social media in dermatology.

Objective: To examine how social media influences patients when choosing a dermatologist and which aspects of dermatologists’ sites offer the most benefit to patients. Read More

Lancet 2020 03 19;395(10228):962-972. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Electronic address:

Background: Skin barrier dysfunction precedes eczema development. We tested whether daily use of emollient in the first year could prevent eczema in high-risk children.

Methods: We did a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial in 12 hospitals and four primary care sites across the UK. Read More

J Digit Imaging 2019 12;32(6):1062-1070

The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 3254, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

The rapid growth of social media over the last decade soon convinced businesses including medical practices and academic medical centers to enter the social media fray-for profit, education, and expanding access. Launched in 2010, Pinterest (San Francisco, CA, USA) differed from many of the established social media platforms by presenting collection and curation features based on the sharing of images rather than text. Thus, Pinterest allows users to categorize website links using photos, GIFs, and videos, and catalog them for future consideration, saved on a virtual folder or "pinboard. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2019 07 5;21(7):e12638. Epub 2019 Jul 5.

College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States.

Background: Traditional methods using print media and commercial firms for clinician recruiting are often limited by cost, slow pace, and suboptimal results. An efficient and fiscally sound approach is needed for searching online to recruit clinicians.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the Web-based methods by which clinicians might be searching for jobs in a broad range of specialties and how academic medical centers can advertise clinical job openings to prominently appear on internet searches that would yield the greatest return on investment. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2019 May;18(5):484-487

Onychomycosis is a common and significant nail condition causing both physical and social impairment. Since patients often search for health information online, the accuracy of this information has become important. In this study, we sought to assess the reliability and comprehensibility of accessible internet information for patients searching for onychomycosis. Read More

Dermatitis 2018 Nov/Dec;29(6):353

Division of Dermatology Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State University, Columbus; and Department of Dermatology Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, OH.

Background: The Alexander Fisher Award (AFA) recognizes excellence in research among dermatology residents or medical students who make formal presentations at the annual American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) meeting.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate long-term likelihood of patch testing, academic practice, and society membership among Alexander Fisher Award winners (AFAWs).

Methods: The AFAWs from 1989 to 2012 were identified with Internet searches to obtain their current practice location. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2019 Aug 4;30(5):511-518. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

a Department of Dermatology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.

Social media encompasses multiple sites for online communication that reach a large proportion of the global population. While the increase in number of publications investigating dermatology content on social media has paralleled the growth of social media in the past decade, there has not yet been an extensive review of past literature on this topic. Our objective is to summarize and analyze publications on the role of social media within the field of dermatology. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2019 06 20;95(4):251-253. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

Objectives: The WHO recommends dual testing for HIV and syphilis among key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM). We assessed the proportion of men who had dual tested and reasons for not dual testing.

Methods: In 2017, an online survey of MSM was conducted in eight cities from two provinces in China. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Dec 13;32(12):2275-2283. Epub 2018 Aug 13.

Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.

Background: Psychological interventions are recommended as part of routine management of vitiligo. However, the development and effectiveness of such interventions have been rarely addressed. This study aimed to identify key components for a psychological intervention for people with vitiligo. Read More

Lancet Oncol 2018 07 13;19(7):916-929. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

GlaxoSmithKline, Rixensart, Belgium.

Background: Despite newly approved treatments, metastatic melanoma remains a life-threatening condition. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic in patients with stage IIIB or IIIC melanoma in the adjuvant setting.

Methods: DERMA was a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done in 31 countries and 263 centres. Read More

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2018 06;77(6):454-460

Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Lifespan Academic Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island.

Social media use continues to grow among pathologists. Discussions of current topics, posts of educational information, and images of pathological entities are commonly found and distributed on popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However, little is known about the presence of neuropathology content in social media and the audience for such content. Read More

J Photochem Photobiol B 2018 Jul 14;184:27-33. Epub 2018 May 14.

Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

Nowcasting model for online monitoring of personal outdoor behaviour is proposed. It is envisaged that it will provide an effective e-tool used by smartphone users. The model could estimate maximum duration of safe (without erythema risk) outdoor activity. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2018 Feb 15;24(2). Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Despite the increasing prevalence of social media usage, the activity of dermatology journals and professional and patient-centered organizations on top social media platforms has not been investigated since 2012. We investigated a total of 124 dermatology journals, 242 professional organizations, and 78 patient-centered organizations to assess their presence and popularity on social media. Searches were conducted to identify journals and organizations on Facebook and Twitter. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2017 Jul 15;23(7). Epub 2017 Jul 15.

Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, Dermatology Service, Eastern Colorado Health Care System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Denver, Colorado.

Platforms of social media, including the website Reddit, have become increasingly popular sites for users to communicate medical information. A study investigating dermatology content on Reddit has not been performed in the current literature. The purpose of this study is to enumerate the dermatology subreddits, quantify subscribers, and characterize posts to estimate the presence of dermatology-related content on Reddit. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2017 Sep 18;44(9):763-771. Epub 2017 Jul 18.

Department of Dermatology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut.

Continuing technological advances are inevitably impacting the study and practice of dermatopathology (DP). We are seeing the transition from glass slide microscopy to virtual microscopy, which is serving both as an accessible educational medium for medical students, residents and fellows in the form of online databases and atlases, as well as a research tool to better inform us regarding the development of visual diagnostic expertise. Expansion in mobile technology is simplifying slide image attainment and providing greater opportunities for phone- and tablet-based microscopy, including teledermatopathology instruction and consultation in resource-poor areas with lack of specialists. Read More

Cutis 2017 Apr;99(4):253-258

Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.

The use of online educational resources and professional social networking sites is increasing. The field of dermatology is currently under-utilizing online social networking as a means of professional collaboration and sharing of training materials. In this study, we sought to assess the current structure of and satisfaction with dermatology resident education and gauge interest for a professional social networking site for educational collaboration. Read More

J Surg Res 2016 11 16;206(1):90-97. Epub 2016 Jul 16.

Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Background: Patients seeking health information commonly use the Internet as the first source for material. Studies show that well-informed patients have increased involvement, satisfaction, and healthcare outcomes. As one-third of Americans have only basic or below basic health literacy, the National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association recommend patient-directed health resources be written at a sixth-grade reading level. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2016 Jul 27;4(7):e824. Epub 2016 Jul 27.

Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Background: Soft-tissue fillers are increasingly being used for noninvasive facial rejuvenation. They generally offer minimal downtime and reliable results. However, significant complications are reported and patients need to be aware of these as part of informed consent. Read More

PLoS One 2016 27;11(7):e0157749. Epub 2016 Jul 27.

National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China.

Background: Syphilis is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Syphilis partner notification (PN) programs targeting MSM has been considered as one of effective strategies to prevention and control of the infection in the population. We examined willingness and preferences for PN among MSM to measure feasibility and optimize uptake. Read More

Transl Behav Med 2016 06;6(2):271-6

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Few surveillance tools exist for monitoring tanning bed injuries. Twitter data were examined to identify and describe reports of tanning bed-caused burns. Tweets sent in 2013 containing keywords for tanning bed use and burning were content analyzed to determine whether a burn caused by a tanning bed was described, and additional data on tanning behavior and burn characteristics were extracted. Read More

Dermatol Clin 2016 Apr;34(2):129-32

Dermatology, Touro University Nevada, 874 American Pacific Drive, Henderson, NV 89014, USA.

The Internet provides both education and miseducation for acne patients. Although some sites provide disease background information and objective treatment guidance, support networks, and research findings, others may seem to be objective on the surface, but are in reality run by untrained, self-proclaimed experts or are promotional in nature. Providers must be aware of the potential benefits and pitfalls the Internet provides for those suffering with acne. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2016 Feb 28;28(1):1-5. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) often resort to the internet for disease-related information. We believe that dermatologists be informed about the current accessibility of information to patients and the potential for misleading patients into making poor treatment decisions.

Objective: The study was carried out in order to determine the nature of AD-related information available on the internet in Korea, and to identify any changes since our last survey in 2005. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2016 Mar 10;107(2):98-106. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, España. Electronic address:

The use by patients of social networking sites and the Internet to look for health related information has already become an everyday phenomenon. If, as dermatologists, we want to be part of this new conversation and provide quality content, we will have to adapt to digital media and find new ways of communicating with both our patients and our colleagues. Dozens of Spanish dermatologists have already ventured into the online space and have begun to provide important content through blogs, which they also disseminate via the social media. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2015 Jul-Aug;60(4):419

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Csongrad County, Hungary.

Background: The epidemiological evaluation of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is based mainly on direct observation and questionnaires. The international epidemiology and environmental risk factors of AGA in young Caucasian men remain unknown.

Aim: To use photographs and data from the Internet to evaluate severe AGA and generate greater understanding of the international epidemiology of the disorder in young Caucasian men. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2015 Oct;16(5):431-7

Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Vahdate Eslami Sq., Vahdate Eslami Ave., 11996, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic and relapsing disease and topical therapy may be associated with failure, particularly in severe disease. Itraconazole has been suggested as an effective treatment for severe SD. Previous studies have been open clinical trials with variable results. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2015 Jul-Aug;106(6):493-9. Epub 2015 Mar 21.

Dermatology Department, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: The use of the Internet to search for medical information is considered by some physicians as an invasion of their medical domain and a reflection of a lack of trust in their advice and recommendations.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to estimate the amount of medical information gathered from the Internet and to establish whether these online searches reflect a lower degree of patient satisfaction.

Patients And Methods: A survey was conducted among 175 patients seen at the melanoma and psoriasis units of San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada, Spain between May 2010 and December 2011. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2015 Feb;41(2):269-76

*Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; †Independent Consulting Statistician, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: Social media sites, composed of providers, patients, and their social circles, facilitate health and healthcare delivery.

Objective: To examine patients' perspective on social media as an information source, communication tool, and referral service through an anonymous survey. In addition, influences on patient Internet personas, an actively constructed online identity, around the time of cosmetic procedures are examined. Read More