Health Professional ‘Web Based Conversational Learning’ on Unusual Forms of Lupus

Introduction

Every day we see unique patients -- mostly, we don't learn much from them, because they get better or go elsewhere. For the past decade, we have been trying to develop a web based conversational learning system termed, “Virtual Grand Rounds in Dermatology” (VGRD), What we've noticed is that most dermatologists are reluctant to comment. There are a number of reasons: shyness, worry about being wrong, defensive of private time. Non-North American health professionals seem more willing to contribute. It may even be that U.S. health professionals are more unwilling to do anything they do not get paid for!!

The concept of VGRD is a powerful one -- we need to work on identifying cases where an opinion is really needed and then identify people willing to make constructive comments. The VGRD concept can be expanded such that patients can present their own cases if they live in underserved areas or if they are not getting the kind of care they require. Additionally, patients may be able to comment on what has helped them with their disorders.

In the current article we present two patients where the diagnostic uncertainty seemed to hover around the diagnosis of Lupus.

• Case 1 (ref to VGRD site)

• Posted by author DJE