Becoming An Informed Partner With Your Dermatologist
Becoming An Informed Partner With Your Dermatologist. Timothy Berger, MD Professor of Clinical Dermatology University of California, San Francisco. Disclaimer.
Becoming An Informed Partner With Your Dermatologist
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Presentation Transcript
Becoming An InformedPartner With Your Dermatologist Timothy Berger, MD Professor of Clinical Dermatology University of California, San Francisco
Disclaimer This is NOT a lecture, but some thoughts from a dermatologist who is NOT an expert on PC but who takes care of patients with PC and other rare diseases. It is my views about how a patient and doctor can work together in the setting of a complex/rare disorder with limited “Answers”
Outline • Finding a Dermatologist • The Doctor Visit(s) • Your Healthcare Team
Finding a Dermatologist • 1. You probably need a dermatologist since PC is a skin disorder • 2. Ideally your doctor should know about PC, or is willing to learn • 3. Most importantly you need to respect/like your dermatologist. You need to be able to communicate openly with her/him. • 4. The office staff need to be respectful and open and you need to be able to get along with them too. • 5. It’s all about forming a team with her/him to help care for your PC
The Doctor’s Visit • 1. Don’t put it off if you have a problem—this is why you have to have good communication with the office staff! • 2. Be clear on visit intervals and what to do if you have an “emergency” • 3. Have realistic expectations and goals and openly discuss this with your Derm • 4. Be direct about the “teaching case” issue, esp. if you are seen at a University—if you’re not comfortable, say “NO!” in a nice way • 5. Go to the visit with a checklist of the elements of your disease, their status and your ???’s
Checklist #1Every Visit • 1. Hyperkeratosis: Optimum management, techniques, frequency, prophylactic antibiotics/antimicrobials for fissures? • 2 Pain Management (IT EXISTS!!!) • A. Who gives you meds for pain? PCP, Derm • B. Pain diary (triggers, effective remedies) • C. How does the pain vary thru the day • D. Pain and Activities (walking, etc) • E. Hormonal/emotional relationship
Checklist #2Some Visits Perhaps • 3. Genetics/Genetic Counseling • 4. Prognosis: What is going to happen in the future • 5. Acute issues: Infections, etc • 6. Knowledge update: Do you have new information for your doctor? (you may know as much or more about PC as your Derm does). Resources with new information need to be shared • 7. Are you in a situation where you need to get a second opinion? This is usually best done by putting your dermatologist in contact with someone knowledgeable about the special problem you both need help with • 8. Emotional issues around your PC
Special Circumstances • 1. Children with PC, new mutations? • 2. Adolescents with PC
Your Healthcare Team • PCP • Dermatologist/Pediatric Dermatologist • Specialists: • Pain Management • Podiatrist • Physical Therapist • Occupational Therapist
Questions/Discussion My opinion: In most cases, in rare persistent diseases more healing occurs through communication, the sharing of knowledge, and empowerment, than through medical treatments.