Book review of MJA Practice Essentials - Dermatology

A tremendous amount of research has been done in the past decade into the pathogenesis and management of skin diseases. From this has come greater understanding of skin function and disease mechanisms, with the development of new drugs, new technology and new methods of treatment. Dermatologists have even started to subspecialise, into areas such as dermatopathology and dermatological surgery.

Australians are no slouches when it comes to innovation and investigation, as evidenced by their contributions at the huge 19th World Congress of Dermatology in Sydney in June 1997. As editor of MJA Practice Essentials -- Dermatology, Robin Marks (one of only two professors of dermatology in Australia) has obtained contributions from those with international reputations as leaders in their fields. All contributors are excellent communicators who are very practical in their outlook.

The book was first published as a series of articles in The Medical Journal of Australia. It was written with general practitioners in mind: after all (according to Professor Marks' introduction), nearly 13% of Australians suffer a skin (or subcutaneous tissue) disease, and over 17% of patient encounters with general practitioners are related to skin disorders. The general practitioner is the first, and sometimes only, port of call for most patients.

Each chapter is set out in a very clear, structured way, with logical subheadings, helpful summaries, illustrated case histories and excellent colour photographs throughout. The update on the uses and capabilities of laser therapy is particularly interesting. This topic fascinates the media, and unfortunately it is very easy to create an environment of unrealistic expectations. Yet quite outstanding results are being achieved with some of the newer lasers.