The PDA:It’s About Continuing Education

Julie A. Hodge, M.D., M.P.H.

Conflict of Interest

None

PDA President

Introduction

The PDA has a 60 year history of excellence

Why is an organization like the PDA relevant in the 21st Century?

Topics of Discussion

PDA membership provides formal and informal education opportunities through meeting program and social activities

Education of dermatologists is organization’s primary objective

Collegiality/networking

Education

Dermatologists have the privilege of providing a wide variety of medical and surgical care

This requires that we stay up to date in our knowledge and well trained in our skills

This is the primary purpose of the PDA

No political agenda No commercial interests Meeting is not designed to make

money for an individual, company, university department or to support any other agenda

Education and the PDA

Education and the PDA

Content is controlled by the volunteer executive committee and the program chairman who is appointed by the committee

Education and the PDA

Clinicopathologic correlation which is at core of dermatology training is a focus(CPC conference)

Dermatologists have a unique microscopic visual understanding of the skin at a cellular level

Nickel/Winer Clinicopathologic Conference: A unique PDA “staple”

Education and the PDA

Practical and cutting-edge presentations on a full range of medical and surgical dermatological topics

•Ablative & Fractional Resurfacing•Acne Vulgaris•Antimicrobial Peptides•Biologics•Botox & Fillers •Clinical Drug Trials•Complex Medical Patients•Contact Dermatitis•Cosmetic Derm•Cutaneous Lymphoma•Derm Surgery•Dermatologic Diseases of the Mouth•Dermatologist-Patient Relationship •Environmental Dermatoses•Ethics•Fractional Photothermolysis, Dermabrasion & Plasma Resurfacing

•Fungus •Immunotherapy•Lasers•Medical/Surgical Pearls•Melanoma•Pediatric Derm•Photoprotection•Phototherapy•Practice Management•Psoriasis•Reconstruction•Skin Cancers & Actinic Keratosis•Sun Safety•Therapeutics and Drug Eruptions •Therapies for Hair Loss•Translational Research

General Derm

Overview

Collegiality/Networking

A regional meeting gives you a chance to meet people in your area, especially if you did not train locally

Stimulates interaction and an exchange of ideas between dermatologists from Pacific Rim Countries and US

Collegiality/Networking

Relaxed social time verses overly scheduled lecture time often stimulates ideas

Cocktail conversations often provide the most useful practice tips

David Taylor sharing some valuable “pearls” with me during a 2003 reception

Collegiality/Networking

In the email age still nice to have face to face direct contact

Online education is more passive

Education of Young Derms

Support and professional development opportunities for residents and young dermatologists

Bill Shellow with the PDA 2004 Resident Case Presenters • Newport

Pat Engasser with a contingent of young derms from Singapore • Vancouver (2005)

Collegiality/Networking

PDA meeting length encourages some “stop out “ time from busy lives

Easier to meet people in smaller settings like on the tennis court or golf course

Hey Ron, is it true that you have to be a good tennis player to be PDA President ?

Value

Cost per CME credit is lowest around

Reg Fee CMEs Amt/CME

PDA $250 14.75 $16.95

Cal Derm $295 13 $22.69

Pacific NW Derm

$295 12 $24.58

What Attendees Say…

The educational content was excellent. I enjoyed the discussions on surgical closures and the update on Botox and fillers. I prefer smaller meetings, like the PDA as it is much more relaxed and you can ask more questions.

Kelli Arntzen, MDSeattle, Washington18 years in practice

What attendees say…

The educational content was quite comprehensive. The case reports presented during the Clinicopathologic Conference were interesting and valuable.

Karen Stolman, MDSandy, Utah9 years in practice

What attendees say…

A good range of topics covered by respected dermatologists in the field. I especially enjoyed the discussion of all the cases.

Audrey Tan, MDSingapore10 years in practice

Why be a “Card Carrying” PDA Member?

Dues keep meeting registration fees down

Shows commitment to educating your colleagues by contributing to the ongoing presence of the meeting even if you can’t attend every year

Joining organizations show commitment to the profession

Summary

The “Golden Age” of medicine wherein academics is revered and there is limited commercial pressure can be maintained if we continue to support organizations like the PDA whose main purpose is to serve its members’ ongoing educational needs.

Final Thought

"Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.“

-John Dewey

The PDA:It’s About Continuing Education

Julie A. Hodge, M.D., M.P.H.