OSCE REVISION FOR THE FINAL FRCEM

Dermatology is a branch of medicine which relies heavily on outpatient treatment and also managing several incapacitating diseases as inpatients. The load of patients in any dermatology OPD is ever increasing, thanks to the recent awareness about the dermatological diseases. The role of a Dermatologist is complicated and quite demanding with reference to innumerable diseases that he has to deal with. Added to this, he is also expected to be well versed with all the drugs that he prescribes, what with constant addition of newer drugs. It is humanly impossible to remember and recollect the various indications, dosages, formulations, side effects and mechanism of actions of all the drugs that he is suppose to use. Another perennial threat is that posed by drug interactions. Books available on this subject are either very exhaustive or less informative. Handbook of Dermatologic Drug Therapy is published is an attempt to bridge this gap. In this second edition, newer therapies like biologics has been added. Each chapter has been updated to add the recent advances. The book is designed and written in a simple language and is not pocket heavy. The target readers are undergraduate, postgraduate and the practicing dermatologists alike. The contents of the book follow a standard format like chemical structure, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, indications, contraindications, side effects. Two other highlights of this book are prescription pearls and important drug interactions.

Dermatology has grown much since the release of the second edition, with several advances in different fields suchh as lasers, biologics, drug therapy, dermoscopy. But the most notable change has been the change in profile, with emphasis on procedural dermatology and visibility on social media. The new 3 rd Edition reflects these changes and is therefore a thoroughly revised edition. Several new images have been added to make it more illustrative. However, the emphasis on clarity in a reader- friendly manner. Therefore the emphasis on text boxes, schematic diagrams, and flow charts continues. A new addition is the list of suggested reading, MCQs and case reports for each chapter. The Following quote form previous edition is still relevant: Writing of a book is like sawing a saw- it sharpens the mind and freshens the knowledge and is thus a process that gives immense satisfaction and joy. This satisfaction and joy will be greater if the readers too find it a valuable tool to enhance their knowledge.