My Last Dermatology Appointment Grade:  C+

Recently, I visited my dermatologist about a scaly patch of skin on my scalp.

I was originally going to have to wait for a few weeks for an appointment, but I called in and found they had a cancellation. So, I got in sooner. I was certainly thankful for the opportunity to be seen in a timely way. I have not been comfortable waiting since my melanoma diagnosis in 1988. I am the impatient patient. Grade: A

Waiting room lacked skin cancer information

I entered the office waiting room, paid my fee and took a seat. There were the usual props: magazines about health and beauty, and lots of end tables with lamps, signs prohibiting cell phone usage and signs about the option of going “maskless.” What I did not notice was anything about skin, skin-care products, skin-care procedures, or skin cancer. There were no pamphlets, posters, signs, or television prompts. It could have been an Amtrak waiting room. I felt like it was a missed opportunity. Grade: D

None in the exam room either

I was eventually escorted into Waiting Room 1, asked a few general questions by an assistant, and then told to wait while the door was closed. As I sat down on the paper-covered examination table, I noticed a display hanging on the inside of the door. It was filled with brochures about plastic surgery, eczema, acne, and many other skin conditions. Yet, there was nothing about skin cancer. There was nothing about how to spot skin cancer or how to prevent it. Row after row of brochures and nothing about the reason I was there. Grade: F

No cancer for me, only seborrheic keratosis

My appointment was rather routine. I have a good rapport with my doctor and he knows that I am a fairly educated patient when it comes to skin cancer. After examining my scalp with a cool instrument, he decided that the spot was seborrheic keratosis. “What was the magnifying glass you were using?” I asked. He proceeded to explain the advantages of using a derma scope during examinations. He told me that he could see multiple layers of skin with this contraption.

I loved the tech explanation.

He explained my options and I chose to have him freeze the spot. He told me that I would not likely lose hair in the area. He used the cryotherapy applicator for what seemed like ten minutes. My head felt like he had drilled a hole in my skull. After the initial pain wore off, we had a conversation about the world of dermatology.

Doctor took time to chat about advocacy

My dermatologist told me he had read that schools in Australia were going to require that children protect their skin while in their care. We talked about my advocacy efforts in New York State – my focus on requiring that young teens get parental consent before they go to tanning salons. We shared anecdotes and talked about many of the advances in skin cancer prevention, detection and diagnosis. I appreciated all of it. Grade: A-

How would your rate you doctor visit?

Overall, this appointment was a mixed bag. I was happy with my personal treatment but very disappointed with the lack of information available about skin cancer. How could you miss that opportunity to educate those who need it most? You have a captured audience that is there to talk about their skin and seek treatment.
How would you grade your latest visit to the skin doctor?