First there was Dr. Google to mislead patients down internet rabbit holes, and now there’s Dr. ChatGPT with its mystifying “hallucinations.” It seems there is no end of ways for patients to be misdirected in their search for reliable information on the medical problems that they or their loved ones are experiencing.
The JAMA Network™ has long published its “Patient Page” feature to help physicians offer up accurate, digestible, visual guides that patients can take home and share with family. The Patient Page typically offers a basic definition of the condition or issue, symptoms, consequences, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
As part of a series of upcoming news articles curating these outstanding resources, the AMA is highlighting free, recently updated “Patient Page” resources of the highest relevance to various physician specialties. First up: dermatology.
AMA members can explore an entire range of cutting-edge, peer-reviewed research and clinical information. The JAMA Network is a world-class resource for the whole medical community. If you are a member or interested in becoming one, learn how to access these educational materials and innovative tools.
“Alopecia Areata”
- This is a type of hair loss disorder caused by the immune system. It most often appears as patchy areas of hair loss on the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. Alopecia areata (AA) can affect people of any age, race or sex. While not a dangerous condition, it can substantially affect patients’ lives. Also, explore the JAMA Dermatology Patient Page on traction alopecia.
“Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)”
- Eczema is a skin condition that can cause redness, swelling, scaling, oozing or weeping, and dryness. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis, sometimes called atopic eczema. This is what most patients and doctors are referring to when using the term eczema.
- Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, including up to 20% of children and 10% of adults. Although atopic dermatitis is more common in children (and often continues into adulthood), about one in four adults with atopic dermatitis have adult-onset disease.
“Dermatomyositis”
- Dermatomyositis (DM) is a condition affecting the skin (dermato) and muscles (myositis). Cutaneous dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease with characteristic skin findings and frequent inflammation of the muscles (myositis). Patients may also have internal disease that can affect the lungs, joints, esophagus and heart. Dermatomyositis can occur in children or adults. This disease in children may result in calcium deposits in the skin.
- Adults with DM could have an internal cancer. Some patients have only skin disease, which is called amyopathic DM, while others have skin changes and myositis. In some patients, the skin disease may still be active even if the myositis is effectively treated. The cause of DM is not known, but it might be associated with inherited factors, reaction to an infectious agent, a medication, sunlight, or internal cancer.
“Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms”
- Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a reaction to a medication. It affects adults and children and can be associated with harm or even death. It usually occurs two to eight weeks after beginning to take a medication. Around 1 in 1,000 people taking specific drugs develop DRESS.
“Isotretinoin for Treatment of Acne”
- Isotretinoin is a medication for acne that is so severe that it does not go away with other treatments or that greatly affects quality of life. It is considered the most effective treatment for acne and can help prevent acne scars. About four in five patients who complete a course of isotretinoin treatment (typically five to eight months) have long-term improvement of their acne. This is different from most other acne treatments, which only help while you are taking them.
“Onychomycosis”
- Infection of the nails by fungus is called onychomycosis. Onychomycosis can affect children and adults and is more common as people get older. The toenails are more commonly affected than the fingernails. When treated early, it is possible to cure onychomycosis. Onychomycosis can be caused by fungi, which commonly affect the skin, as well as unusual fungi.
“Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac”
- These three plants contain sap oil (urushiol) in their leaves, stems, and roots, which is released on contact and penetrates the skin to cause an itchy, red rash (allergic contact dermatitis). Once urushiol is on the skin, it can be spread to other areas of skin by touch. People can also come into contact with urushiol by petting an animal that has sap oil on its fur.
Seborrheic Dermatitis”
- Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, chronic condition of the skin that can affect the scalp, face, chest and skin folds. Seborrheic dermatitis can affect people of all genders, ages, and races and ethnicities; however, it is most common in infants and elderly individuals.
“What Are Bedbugs?”
- Bedbugs are insects that feed on human or animal blood, and their bites cause skin reactions.
- Bedbugs thrive in warm, dark environments and often live in mattresses, furniture, flooring, and walls, commonly in hotels, motels, hostels, shelters, or other high-occupancy places. Bedbugs are active at night and are attracted to their hosts based on their body temperature and exhaled carbon dioxide. Also read this JAMA Dermatology Patient Page on bedbugs.
In addition to the excellent Patient Page feature, there are other ways physicians can leverage resources from the JAMA Network to help them in their clinical practice:
- Take CME courses and earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
- Fulfill maintenance of licensure (MOL) and CME requirements on JN Learning™, the new home for all JAMA Network CME.
- Read concise summaries of clinical guidelines and recommendations in a streamlined format designed for today’s busy physicians.
The subscription cost of JAMA® is included with your AMA membership, plus unlimited online and mobile access to all JAMA Network journals, including JAMA Dermatology and these other journals: JAMA Network Open, JAMA Cardiology, JAMA Internal Medicine, JAMA Neurology, JAMA Oncology, JAMA Ophthalmology, JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Psychiatry, and JAMA Surgery.
The online journals include many helpful features for students, residents and fellows, including full-text PDFs, clinical challenges, archived editions, audio and video author interviews where authors give their perspectives on a study’s objectives, findings and implications.
Subscribe to free AMA email newsletters
Get the latest news from the AMA on the topics that matter to you—delivered to your inbox.
