Virtual Mentor. August 2006, Volume 8, Number 8: 491-553. Full Issue PDF

August 2006 Contents

Ethical Issues in Dermatology

Ethics Poll

1. If your physician mentioned that he or she had cosmeceuticals for sale in the office, would you feel as though purchasing or not purchasing such items might affect the quality of your future care?
Yes
No

2. Do you think it is possible for the pharmaceutical industry to fund residency programs without marketing interests affecting the quality of residents' education?
Yes
No

3. The FDA-mandated iPLEDGE program forces all patients, physicians and pharmacists to adhere to strict requirements and documentation before a prescription for isotretinoin (Accutane) can be written because the drug can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Critics say the iPLEDGE program places undue responsibility upon doctors and pharmacists and not enough on patients. Some dermatologists avoid prescribing this highly effective acne treatment.
It is appropriate for medical and pharmacy professionals to assume this high level of responsibility for preventing pregnancy because the consequences to the unborn can be so dire.
Given adequate warning of the risk involved, consenting adult patients should assume responsibility for not becoming pregnant.
This level of doctor and pharmacist involvement should be demanded only in treating minors.

View results

From the Editor

Dermatology and the Changing Face of Medicine
Kelly A. Carroll
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:493-494.

Educating for Professionalism

Clinical Cases

Dispensing Cosmeceuticals from the Office
Commentary by Michael H. Gold
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:503-508.

Dermatology Lab Referrals: Cash Cow or Ethical Trap?
Commentary by Jane M. Grant-Kels and Barry D. Kels
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:499-502.

Prescribing a Teratogenic Medication
Commentary by Jeffrey M. Weinberg
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:495-498.

Journal Discussion

The Benefit and Burden of Ancillary Professionals in Dermatology
Seemal R. Desai
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:514-516.

Medical Education

Pharmaceutical Support of Dermatology Residency Electives: Slippery Slope or Synergy?
Alfred T. Lane
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:509-511.

Funding of Dermatology Residencies by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industries: What Are the Ethical Ramifications?
Michael J. Franzblau
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:512-513.

Clinical Pearl

The ABCs of Melanoma: Expanding Basic Screening and Education
Cory L. Simpson
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:517-519.

Law, Policy, and Society

Health Law

Accutane and the Evolution of a Warning
Lee Black
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:520-523.

Policy Forum

iPLEDGE: A Report from the Front Lines of Dermatologic Practice
Diane M. Thiboutot and Clay J. Cockerell
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:524-528.

Medicine and Society

The Influence of Controllable Lifestyle on Medical Student Specialty Choice
Jack S. Resneck
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:529-532.

Op-Ed and Correspondence

Op-Ed

Adding Burden to Burden: Cosmetic Surgery for Children with Down Syndrome
Ann K. Suzedelis
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:538-540.

History, Art, and Narrative

Medical Humanities

Hawthorne's "Birthmark": Is There a Post-Romantic Lesson for the "Men of Science"?
Faith Lagay
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:541-544.

History of Medicine

Lessons in Dermatology Research: Protecting Vulnerable Research Participants
T. Howard Stone
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:533-537.

Resources

Suggested Readings and Resources
PDF
Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:545-551.

About the Contributors
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Virtual Mentor. 2006; 8:552-523.