Editor's Message: Psychodermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology - Larisa Hubbs, Executive Editor In this year’s annual cosmetic dermatology issue, authors Dr. Richard Fried, a psychologist and dermatologist who practices in the Philadelphia area, and Dr. Philip Werschler, a dermatologist with a medical spa and medical dermatology practice in Spokane, WA, offer up sage advice for selecting, and more importantly, knowing when to avoid candidates for cosmetic dermatology procedures. They begin this month’s cover story with a sentiment that many of you can commiserate with: “Choosing the best cosmetic dermatology candidates and appropriate interventions for each appears deceptively simple at first glance.” How true. Clearing the Confusion To help you solve this dilemma, the first part of this month’s cover article, which begins on page 42, offers insights into spotting patients who would not be ideal candidates for cosmetic surgery. You can also customize and copy the quick questionnaire that was developed by the authors on page 45 to screen potential patients. Lastly, in another portion of this article, Dr. Werschler gives insight into a multidisciplinary team approach to marketing cosmetic services — covering everything from patient selection to how publicity is generated, how the experience enhances his practice and what type of return on investment he realizes. The cover story is the first of five cosmetic dermatology-based feature articles in this month’s issue. Also read about: • News, trends and research, beginning on page 52 • An article that explores the possibility of the beginning of an at-home device revolution, which begins on page 58 • An article that discusses CO2 laser resurfacing now and in the future, beginning on page 64 • Insight into taking a well-planned approach to adding cosmetic services to your practice. This article begins on page 70. New Department — “Derm Stats” Want to know how much your colleagues are paying their aestheticians? Their office managers? Their nurse practitioners? How about their executive directors or their certified coders? You can find out this information and more in our new column “Derm Stats”, which debuts in this issue. This department was created to give you a realistic account of how your colleagues are running their practices. Authored by Mike Parshall, who is Vice President of The Health Care Group and President of Health Care Managers, Inc., in Plymouth Meeting, PA, this column will publish quarterly. Mr. Parshall, who is an authority on practice valuation, physician compensation and strategic planning, will cover a number of other topics in the future, including physician compensation data and new doctor/associate compensation statistics, as well as practice benchmarking data to name a few upcoming topics. Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com   Skin & Aging - ISSN: 1096-0120 - Volume 14 - Issue 10_2006 - October 2006 - Pages: 8 - 8