Laser on, laser off
Annual Meeting sessions allowed dermatologists to gain ‘hands-on’ education and experience in laser surgery.
The unique venue, small group structure, and popular topics of the AAD Annual Meeting hands-on workshops are enticing to physicians who thrive on learning and fine-tuning their craft. These ticketed, interactive events are limited in attendance, and each year the Hands-On: Lasers sessions are the first to sell out.
Session co-directors Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, FAAD, and Catherine M. DiGiorgio, MD, MS, FAAD, assembled a group of international experts who led instruction and demonstrations of laser- and energy-based devices and techniques.
“You have multiple devices, multiple dermatologists engaging with small groups of attendees. This fosters in-depth, honest discussions about the technologies and their relative merits,” said Dr. Avram, who is director of laser and cosmetic training at Harvard Medical School and director of MGH Dermatology Laser & Cosmetic Center in Boston. “Additionally, there are no laser salespeople or any industry involvement in these sessions.”
Catherine M. DiGiorgio, MD, MS, FAAD, and Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, FAAD
The session began and ended with procedural skills assessments with much of the time spent rotating through various educational stations, such as patient and device selection, treatment planning, safety practices, and more.
In the patient and device selection portion, for example, Dr. Avram said physicians practice concentrating on the patient’s needs, expectations, and risks. Then, they can better understand how to pair a patient with the best device to produce the best outcomes.
“Each small group will feature a discussion of protocols, risks and benefits of treatments, and best practices,” said Dr. DiGiorgio, who is founder and director of CMD Dermatology, Laser & Aesthetics in Boston. “The small groups are typically focused on common areas of interest, for example ablative lasers or body contouring devices.”
To ensure the session was comprehensive, Drs. Avram and DiGiorgio selected a range of technologies to feature, including:
- Ablative and nonablative lasers and fractional lasers
- Acne devices
- Body contouring devices
- Muscle stimulation devices
- Tissue tightening devices
- Lasers for hair removal or tattoos
- Vascular lasers
Dr. Avram said he enjoys being part of this unique experience, and he encourages attendees to register for the hands-on sessions at future meetings.
“Training and experience matter. It is imperative to always be a student and learn, especially in a rapidly changing technology landscape. Embrace innovation and change,” he said.
