Dermatology

Abstract

According to the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) 2014 Annual Report, currently 4.4% of all physician assistants work primarily in the specialty of dermatology.1National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. March 2015. 2014 Statistical profile of certified physician assistants: an annual report of the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. Available at: http://www.nccpa.net/research.Google Scholar Approximately 36% of all primary care office visits involve at least one skin problem, and for over half of these office visits, the skin problem is the chief compliant.2Lowell B.A. Froelich C.W. Federman D.G. et al.Dermatology in primary care: prevalence and patient disposition.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001; 45: 250-255Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (120) Google Scholar This issue of Physician Assistant Clinics is directed to the physician assistants outside of the dermatology specialty arena. But I am sure there is something for even the most experienced dermatology physician assistant in this issue. Kristen Grippe, MPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor at Gannon University Physician Assistant Program and a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, is the guest editor for this issue, and she has selected a wide variety of topics and excellent authors. In this issue, we cover skin cancer from top to bottom. Hyde and Connor provide an excellent review of nevi to melanoma, and Block provides a review of nonmelanoma skin cancers. Need a review of biopsy and suture methodology? Then the article by Soh, Riemer, Alkousakis, and Fathi is for you. In that article, they cover the indications, contraindications, and methodology and provide a number of helpful suggestions for several of the common biopsy methods. Do you have questions about the wide variety of topical therapies? Then the article by Jewell and Myers will provide you with the answers as you work through a number of clinical scenarios in the article. Are stubborn nail infections a problem in your clinic? The article by Sikes and Tobin will provide you a variety of treatment options you can use in those tough situations. I hope you enjoy the second issue of Physician Assistant Clinics. Our next issue will provide you with a review of Oncology.