ABSTRACT
Standing at the podium, I began: "Scalp psoriasis is so frustrating." This
opening was meant to let the patients in the room know they were
listening to a caring, empathetic doctor. The entire room of heads nodded in agreement. "It is not just frustrating for patients; it's frustrating for us
dermatologists, too. We like to see our patients get well, and scalp psoriasis
just never seems to get better." Again, the room of heads nodded in
agreement. "I think I know why it's not getting better," I said. The entire
audience was quiet, heads peered forward, eyes wide open, seeking to
learn why scalp psoriasis doesn't go away. I raised my hand, pointed at
the group and said: "Because you're not putting the medication on your
Throughout the entire room, heads fell to chests with a great collective
sigh of catharsis. "Yes," these patients thought, "I haven't been using the medication, and it feels so good to get it off my chest. I have been lying
to my doctor about this for so long. It feels good to finally admit this to a doctor ...
