A dermatologist’s office may not be the ideal site for family therapy, but it’s often a good place to see how close relatives interact, and even to influence their relationships a little. Many family combinations come into our offices: parents and children, husbands and wives, now and then even three generations in the same room.

Most kids and even teens... »

Although this space is usually devoted to observations about patients and practice, this month’s column will describe an entirely new syndrome. Studying this condition may help broaden the horizons of neuroscience and deepen our understanding of the complex ways of the human brain.

Neurology recognizes many cognitive deficits, from the global (dysphasia –... »

It had been a long day. Only three messages needed tending to, which was a relief. Okay, I thought, let's take care of these and go home. "Hello, Mrs. Wiener, this is Dr. Rockoff calling you back."

"Good evening, Doctor. My son is getting new spots. Can I use the same cream that worked on his old spots?"

"Yes."

"Thank... »

We physicians are encouraged to practice evidence-based medicine whenever possible. This is a good idea, even if using evidence is not always applicable or even possible. Still, many treatments that are traditional or make sense turn out to be ineffective, or at best unproven.

But what if everybody had to act based on evidence, for instance, the program... »

Barbadian lilt sounds odd coming from the mouth of a pale white woman. Martha’s Caribbean childhood has left her with not just an exotic accent but an ongoing series of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Unscheduled, she sat on my exam table last month. The slash across her nose and right cheek made her look like a dueling-society initiate.

Martha sounded as... »

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

Storming out of the exam room, my next waiting patient saw the nurse at her desk and shoved his wristwatch literally under her nose. "Does that say 1:15?" he demanded. Before she could figure out what the devil was going on, he answered his own question. "My... »

You’ll just have to take my word for the fact that this story happened exactly this way. Only the names have been changed to protect the incompetent.

“Denny Dugan called, Doctor. You told him he might have trouble getting the medicine you prescribed, and that seems to be happening.”

“Hello, Mr. Dugan. Your pharmacy says they don’t have the Xolotl-PC?... »