Report of 22nd Annual Meeting of Association of Psychocutaneous Medicine of North America, March 15th 2012 in San Diego, CA
The 22nd annual meeting of APMNA (Association of Psychocutaneous Medicine of North America) was held in San Diego, CA, a day before American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting. The meeting discussed multiple topics on different aspects of Psychodermatology. The speakers were from USA, Spain, Argentina, Poland, UK, Canada and Belgium. The meeting started with opening remarks by Mohammad Jafferany, MD, the chair of the meeting and current Secretary/Treasurer of APMNA. Dr. Francoise Poot from Belgium, the past president of ESDaP (European Society of Dermatology and Psychiatry), discussed the psychosomatic symptoms and the role of family. Dr. Manuel Grau from Spain presented an interesting case of Olfactory reference syndrome. Dr. Silvia Khaski from Argentina presented and discussed a multidisciplinary psychodermatology clinic model and her experience. Ladan Mostaghimi, Director of Psychocutaneous clinic at University of WI Madison, presented an in depth talk on delusion of parasitosis. Dr. Caroline Koblenzer, a leading expert in Psychodermatology and the recipient of Herman Musaph award by ESDaP, and one of the founder members of APMNA discussed about Dermatitis Artefacta and its presentation and management. Dr. Jacek Szepietowski, from Poland, discussed about Hideradenitis Suppurativa and its psychosocial implications. Dr. Maria-José Tribó from Spain, discussed the connection of impulsivity in dermatitis artefacta. Teresa Tsakok from Guys and St. Thomas NHS foundation trust London discussed her research findings about the use of habit reversal therapy in atopic skin disease. Thelda Kestenbaum, MD, professor of Dermatology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, discussed OCD in dermatology. Howard G. Milstein, r dermatologist & Rachel Milstein Goldenhar, a clinical psychologist discussed their experience from a psychodermatology clinic with liaison of psychiatry and dermatology. Samantha Gontijo-Guerra from Canada discussed the relationship between skin diseases and psychological distress in community-dwelling older adults. Rick Fried, MD, a leading dermatologist & psychologist from Yardley Dermatology Associates, discussed the ethical and emotional issues in cosmetic dermatology. Richard Granstein, MD, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and dermatologist-in-chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital presented this research on the regulations of the antigen presentation by nerve products. Francisco Tausk, MD, Professor of Dermatology and Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY and past president of APMNA discussed about his research on stress and Psoriasis. Gil Yosipovich, MD, Professor of Dermatology at Wake Forrest University gave an interesting talk about the cognitive aspects of itch and scratch. Jennifer Raikes, the executive director and Christine Pearson, thje founding director from Trichotillomania learning center (TLC) discussed about the services TLC is providing to consumers. Robert Norman, MD from Florida presented stories of the skin, "the women who lost their skin". Jillian Wong and Tien Nguyen, medical students from University of California San Francisco, under the mentorship of Dr. John Koo, an eminent psychodermatologist, presented interesting topics on how to approach unhappy, anxious and difficult patients, and patient physician communications.
The meeting was followed by delicious dinner on the bay side at beautiful Pier Cafe.
Mohammad Jafferany, MD
Secretary/Treasurer
Association of Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America
mjafferany@yahoo.com
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