The JCMS Dermatology Podcast with Dr Kirk Barber

“Most dermatologists hate to see these patients. But we must not hate to see them because they need help—and they need the dermatologist.”— Dr. Marcelo NicoIn this 100th episode of JCMS Author Interviews, host Dr. Kirk Barber reflects on a milestone for the podcast before welcoming Dr. Marcelo Nico, Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of São Paulo and a leading expert in psychodermatology.Over the past 100 episodes, JCMS Author Interviews has connected listeners with authors, researchers, and clinicians from around the world, bringing the pages of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery to life through conversations that advance dermatologic knowledge and patient care. Kirk and his team are proud of the community that has built up around the podcast and want to send a specials thank you to everyone involved, especially our guests and you, our listeners.Dr. Nico joins the podcast to discuss his article, “Dermatitis Artefacta: A Study of 42 Patients With Management Considerations.” Drawing on decades of clinical experience, he explains why dermatitis artefacta should be viewed as a distinct clinical diagnosis rather than a diagnosis of exclusion, and shares his compassionate approach to caring for patients whose skin disease is intertwined with underlying psychiatric illness.The conversation explores the importance of trust, long-term follow-up, and recognizing the role of insight in psychodermatologic disorders. Along the way, Dr. Nico offers practical lessons for clinicians navigating some of dermatology’s most challenging patient encounters.Dr. Marcelo Nico is Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Medical School of the University of São Paulo in Brazil. His work focuses on inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases, oral mucosal disorders, and psychodermatology.Dr. Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of this podcast.For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.caThis podcast is produced by David McGuffin and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca

In this episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Steve Feldman returns to discuss his three recent publications in the Nov/Dec 2025 issue of the Journal and what they reveal about modern dermatology practice.The conversation moves beyond the research to explore bigger themes: how patients perceive care, why empathy matters more than efficiency, and whether technology—from dermatoscopes to AI—actually improves outcomes or simply reinforces trust.Dr. Feldman also shares practical insights on patient behavior, telemedicine, and the surprising limits of large healthcare databases.Dr. Steve Feldman is a professor of dermatology, pathology, and social sciences & health policy at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He is a leading researcher in dermatology and directs the Center for Dermatology Research. His primary clinical focus is psoriasis, and his work has significantly shaped understanding of patient adherence, quality of life, and real-world treatment outcomes.Dr. Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of this podcast.For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.caThis podcast is produced by David McGuffin and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca

Dermatologist and researcher Fiona Lovegrove joins the JCMS Author Interviews Podcast to discuss new Canadian consensus guidance on the diagnosis and management of bullous pemphigoid.In this episode, Dr. Kirk Barber and Dr. Lovegrove explore her Nov/Dec Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery article “Navigating Bullous Pemphigoid: Consensus Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management – A Canadian Perspective.” The conversation focuses on the rising prevalence and clinical complexity of bullous pemphigoid, evolving diagnostic tools, and practical, evidence-based strategies to achieve disease control while minimizing steroid-related harm.Topics covered include:Why clinicians are seeing more bullous pemphigoid in practiceDiagnostic approaches, including the role of serology and immunofluorescenceThe importance of rapid disease control alongside early steroid-sparing strategiesConsensus recommendations for systemic therapies, including dupilumab, methotrexate, and mycophenolateManaging medically fragile, older patients and reducing glucocorticoid toxicityHow Canadian clinical experience informs real-world treatment algorithmsThis episode offers a thoughtful, clinically grounded discussion for dermatologists, trainees, and healthcare professionals managing autoimmune blistering diseases.The article co-authors include: Maxwell Sauder, Asfandyar Mufti, Jennifer Beecker, Jan Dutz, Mark G Kirchhof, Regine Mydlarski, Kerri Purdy, Perla LansangDr. Fiona Lovegrove is a London, Ontario–based dermatologist and the founder of Lovegrove Dermatology. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Western University and has a strong clinical and research focus on complex inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases. Dr. Lovegrove is widely recognized for her ability to translate emerging dermatology research into practical, patient-centred care, and for her expertise in managing medically complex dermatologic conditions.Dr. Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of this podcast.For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.caThis podcast is produced by David McGuffin, and Clare and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca

Dr. Yeung also shares how patient experiences inspire his research and why PN management is entering a more hopeful era.

Dr. Hélène Veillette is Division Head of Dermatology at CHU de Québec–Université Laval, where she also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor and Researcher. Her expertise includes hidradenitis suppurativa, biotherapies, and complex dermatologic conditions. She is passionate about improving multidisciplinary care for patients with psychocutaneous diseases.

In this special Editor's Choice edition of the JCMS podcast, Dr. Kirk Barber engages in a follow-up conversation with Cathryn Sibbald about her JCMS Lecture at the 2025 Canadian Dermatology Association conference in Halifax. Dr Sibbald, a pediatric dermatologist at SickKids Hospital and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, delves into the complexities of treating alopecia areata. Highlights include a nuanced discussion on the importance of a holistic and patient-centered approach, the role of JAK inhibitors, and the integration of traditional therapies like methotrexate and topical treatments. Dr. Sibbald emphasizes understanding the patient's goals, assessing psychosocial impacts, and using a combination of treatments. She also discusses practical tips for managing more severe cases, such as alopecia universalis, and the use of newer assessment tools to help guide treatment plans. Dr. Sibbald has graciously agreed to share her slide deck to her JCMS Lecture with our listeners, which you can find here.Dr Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of this podcast.For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.caThis podcast is produced by David McGuffin and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca

Dr. Mohannad Abu-Hilal is a dermatologist and assistant professor in the department of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Dr. Marlene Dytoc is a clinical professor at the University of Alberta and the director of several specialty dermatology clinics including psychodermatology.

Dr. Mark Kirchhof is the Division Head of Dermatology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital. And he is the president of the CDA.

Dr. Christopher Chew is a dermatologist at the Skin Health Institute in Melbourne, Australia. He is also a lecturer and program coordinator at Monash University Medical School, where he is pursuing a PhD studying vitiligo and melanocyte biology.

Dr. Dominique Hanna is a dermatologist and associate professor at the University of Sherbrooke. She’s also a past president of The Association of Dermatology Specialists of Quebec. And she has been a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Dermatology Association, where she has been actively involved in expert committees including on Telehealth.

“The State of Artificial Intelligence in Skin Cancer Publications.“

Your host Kirk Barber is thrilled to welcome Dr Melinda Gooderham back to the podcast for a fascinating conversation about her article on Psoriasis in the November-December issue of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery titled:“Baseline Characteristics of Canadian Patients in the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry - PSOLAR"Her co-authors on this article are: Robert Bissonnette, Sunil Kalia, Kim A Papp, Lyn C Guenther, Wayne P Gulliver, Vincent Ho, Neil H Shear, Ron Vender, Robert Gniadecki, Vimal H Prajapati, Irina Turchin, Wayne Langholff, Kim Parnell, Scott D Simpson, Nastaran Abbarin, Omair Lakhani and Raed Alhusayen.Dr Melinda Gooderham is Medical Director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario and an Assistant Professor at Queen's University. She also works as a Consultant Physician at the Peterborough Regional Health CentreThis podcast is supported by an educational grant from Incyte Biosciences Canada, available through the CDA Corporate Supporter Program.Dr Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of the podcast.For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.caJCMS Author Interviews is produced by the CDA and David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa. Our theme music was composed by Lee Rosevere.