Dermatology online journal
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Our first year experience with the use of a web log as a communication tool for our dermatology interest group at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB) is described. We find the UTMB Dermatology Interest Group Blog facilitates educational opportunities and serves as a dermatology resource for medical students, and improves communication. It is an educational innovation that could be adopted by other dermatology departments.
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Most complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) are caused by Staphylococcus aurens (SA) and streptococcus (SC). More and more isolates of SA and SC are resistant to methicillin (MRSA) and there are concerns that SA will become resistant to vancomycin (VRSA), the current standard of treatment. Dalbavancin (BI397) is a novel semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide that was designed to improve uon the natural glycopeptides currently available, vancomycin and teicoplanin. ⋯ Unlike other new antibiotics, such as oritavancin and tigecycline, dalbavancin is not active against vancomycin-resistant enterococcus or VRSA. Its approval by the FDA is expected soon. The extent to which dalbavancin will supplant vancomycin and whether it will be preferred other newer agents such as linezolid.
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Medical residency education and the development of formalized training objectives in Canada have evolved continuously, especially with the introduction of the Canadian Medical Education Directions for Specialists (CanMEDS) competencies by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) in 1996. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of CanMEDS competencies in Canadian postgraduate dermatology training programs from the residents' perspective, a comprehensive national survey of all Canadian core dermatology residents was conducted in June 2004. One hundred percent of core (PGY3-5) dermatology residents across the country (n = 48) completed the survey. ⋯ This is the first national Canadian survey examining dermatology postgraduate education from the residents' perspective with a focus on CanMEDS competencies. While the RCPSC CanMEDS project implementation is presently in the faculty development phase, further work must be accomplished to enhance awareness of CanMEDS competencies and to incorporate these into dermatology residency programs across the country. Particular targeting of the roles perceived to be poorly taught is needed.