In many European countries dermatology
has something of a split personality. On one hand, dermatology
is a dynamic specialty, highly ranked for research and educational efforts,
with outstanding leaders who contribute a disproportionate number of academic
deans and presidents. Research funding is high, impact factors are sparkling
and documentation of excellence is painfully easy. Dermatologic practice
is for the most part still a rewarding and profitable enterprise. The mood
at most of the numerous dermatologic meetings is friendly and positive.
Dermatologists are happy when they are among themselves.
Unfortunately, dermatologists must exist within the framework of organized
medicine. Here pessimism is often the order of the day. We often
have the unpleasant feeling that we are victims of decisions by poorly informed,
unfriendly third parties who simply are not interested in our side of the
story. Good moods turn sour; the sensed threats elicit rapid resistance
and formalized mechanisms of defense. Everyone active in the board of a
dermatologic society must surely recognize the mood swings between the conference
room and the lecture hall.
The EDF is attempting with this book to paint a
Europe-wide picture of our specialty with contributions from around 100
dermatologists from all reaches of the Old World. The essays
describe the many activities of dermatologists, as well as the overlapping
interests between dermatologists and other specialists. In addition, the
status of dermatologic education and practice in each of the European countries
is presented, as is an overview of the major Pan-European dermatologic societies.
Although hard data is sparse, every attempt has been made to bolster opinions
with facts.
The EDF White Book is designed for intelligent
lay readers - such as deans, university presidents, clinic directors,
financial officers, and politicians at the local, state and national level.
For this reason, part of the book describes common dermatologic diseases
with emphasis on their impact on quality-of-life. Thus the White Book can
only begin to achieve its goals when it leaves the hands of dermatologists
and reaches these medical decision makers, who for the most part are non-physicians.
The book is now available in your favorite bookstore.
For an excerpt please visit www.abw-verlag.com/sample.pdf |
