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MBA Guidelines for Cosmetic Medical and Surgical Procedures – Financial Arrangements

ArticleJuly 22, 2016General, Guidelines

The Medical Board of Australia has published a set of guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic medical and surgical procedures, which will take effect on the 1st of October 2016. These guidelines have been developed by the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) under section 39 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

Section 12 – Financial Arrangements

Section 12 of the new guidelines deal with financial arrangements made with a patient for cosmetic medical procedures. In summary:

A patient must be provided with written information about the costs of the procedure, additional costs for follow-up care and possible costs for additional treatments that may arise during the procedure.
A dermatologist should not provide or offer to provide financial inducements to agents for the recruitment of patients for cosmetic procedures. For example: commissions.
A dermatologist should not offer patients additional product or service incentives for any cosmetic medical service. For example: free or discounted flights or accommodation, gift cards.
A dermatologist should not, directly or indirectly, offer patients financing schemes other than credit card payment facilities. Loans or commercial payment plans should not be offered as part of any cosmetic medical service.
A dermatologist should not have a financial conflict of interest that may influence the advice that they provide to a patient. This influence may arise from profit-margin bias or drug company incentives or commissions.

Over the next few weeks we will be reviewing these new guidelines and how each section will influence specific aspects of a dermatologist’s obligations to their patient.

View Full MBA Media Statement

Green Square Dermatology scene in the finale of Cleverman

ArticleJuly 8, 2016General, TV

Well, we had to wait until the Season 1 Finale of Cleverman but we finally got to see the scenes shot at Green Square Dermatology. In our scene Charlotte (Frances O’Connor) is shocked to learn that the Ilithyia fertility clinic doesn’t exist and is actually a dermatology practice.

The production setup for the filming was an interesting and complex process with the cover-up of all our existing artwork to avoid copyright and licensing issues. Plants and equipment were also removed to allow the Cleverman crew to film scenes and also accommodate actors, directors, make-up artists and technicians.

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Is there a link between dairy and teenage acne?

ArticleJuly 1, 2016General, Research

Article: Consumption of dairy in teenagers with and without acne
Authors: Caroline L. LaRosa; Kim A. Quach; Kirsten Koons; Allen R. Kunselman; Junjia Zhu; Diane M. Thiboutot; Andrea L. Zaenglein
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, April 2016

Background

Recent literature has implicated dairy as having a potential acne-inducing effect.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the link between dairy consumption and acne in teenagers. We tested the hypothesis that teenagers with facial acne consume more dairy than those without acne.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted among 225 participants, ages 14 to 19 years, with either moderate acne or no acne. Moderate acne was determined by a dermatologist using the Global Acne Assessment Scale. Participants who met inclusion criteria then completed up to three 24-hour diet recall interviews using the Nutrition Data System for Research software and food and nutrient intake were compared between groups.

Results

The amount of low-fat/skim milk consumed by participants with acne with significantly higher (P = .01) than those with no acne. No significant difference was found among total dairy intake, saturated fat or trans-fat, or glycemic load. No significant difference was found for total energy intake or body mass index.

Limitations

Limitations include self-report of diet and portion size, and association does not determine causation.

Conclusions

Consumption of low-fat/skim milk, but not full-fat milk, was positively associated with acne.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.04.030

Domestic water hardness linked to atopic dermatitis in infancy

ArticleJune 25, 2016General, Research

Article: Association between domestic water hardness, chlorine, and atopic dermatitis risk in early life: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Michael R. Perkin; Joanna Craven; Kirsty Logan; David Strachan; Tom Marrs; Suzana Radulovic; Linda E. Campbell; Stephanie F. MacCallum; Irwin McLean; Gideon Lack; Carsten Flohr
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, April 2016

Background

Domestic water hardness and chlorine have been suggested as important risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective

We sought to examine the link between domestic water calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and chlorine concentrations, skin barrier dysfunction (increased transepidermal water loss), and AD in infancy.

Methods

We recruited 1303 three-month-old infants from the general population and gathered data on domestic water CaCO3 (in milligrams per liter) and chlorine (Cl2; in milligrams per liter) concentrations from local water suppliers. At enrollment, infants were examined for AD and screened for filaggrin (FLG) skin barrier gene mutation status. Transepidermal water loss was measured on unaffected forearm skin.

Results

CaCO3 and chlorine levels were strongly correlated. A hybrid variable of greater than and less than median levels of CaCO3 and total chlorine was constructed: a baseline group of low CaCO3/low total chlorine (CaL/ClL), high CaCO3/low total chlorine (CaH/ClL), low CaCO3/high total chlorine (CaL/ClH) and high CaCO3/high total chlorine (CaH/ClH). Visible AD was more common in all 3 groups versus the baseline group: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.87 (95% CI, 1.25-2.80; P = .002) for the CaH/ClL group, AOR of 1.46 (95% CI, 0.97-2.21; P = .07) for the CaL/ClH, and AOR of 1.61 (95% CI, 1.09-2.38; P = .02) for the CaH/ClH group. The effect estimates were greater in children carrying FLG mutations, but formal interaction testing between water quality groups and filaggrin status was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

High domestic water CaCO3 levels are associated with an increased risk of AD in infancy. The influence of increased total chlorine levels remains uncertain. An intervention trial is required to see whether installation of a domestic device to decrease CaCO3 levels around the time of birth can reduce this risk.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2016.03.031

Attitudes towards sun-protective behaviour in Australians

ArticleJune 25, 2016General, Research

Article: Assessment of attitudes towards sun-protective behaviour in Australians: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kieran B Garbutcheon-Singh; Shreya Dixit; Andrew Lee; Pam Brown; Saxon D Smith;
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, March 2015

Objective

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards sun protection measures in a sample of Australian adults.

Methods

A multicentre, cross-sectional study was undertaken during 2014 using a population-based survey of 416 individuals over the age of 18. The knowledge, behaviour and attitudes towards sun protection measures in this group of adults were assessed. The impact of educational level and employment status on responses was also evaluated.

Results

Only 15% of respondents applied a sufficient amount of sunscreen.

15%

Less than 50% of individuals replaced their sunscreen each year.

50%

Only 36% of individuals rarely or never checked their sunscreens expiry date.

36%

Sunscreen is the most common sun-protective measure. Daily sunscreen use is below 20%. Forgetfulness was the largest barrier to sunscreen use. A total of 85% of respondents did not apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen. Only 32% of individuals reapplied sunscreen every 2 hours and 20% never reapplied it. In the preceding year, one or more sun burns were suffered by 46% of the participants in the survey. In all, 36% of individuals rarely or never check their sunscreens expiry date and less than 50% of individuals replaced their sunscreen each year. Furthermore, 65% were unaware that sunscreens stored above 25°C were less effective than when stored correctly as per manufactures labelling.

Conclusions

This study highlights a number of significant deficiencies that future sun-protection programmes could target in order to improve the general public’s knowledge and attitudes towards sun protection. There is also a need for this to be translated into the public’s sun-protection behaviour.

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DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12334

Bring a baby to work day – Every day!

ArticleJune 24, 2016General

Please welcome the newest family member here at Green Square Dermatology … baby Cameron!

One of the great things about owning and running a dermatology practice is that you can sneak your kids in and enjoy their company while you work.

Sure you have to change a dirty nappy or two during the day but it’s worth it to be able to watch them grow 24/7. This is especially important for this young baby who gets special loving from dermatologist mum during mandatory feeding breaks every 3 hours!