Publications by authors named "Daren Simkin"

Article Synopsis
  • Pseudoainhum is a rare condition where constriction bands can lead to painful digital strangulation and auto-amputation, commonly associated with palmoplantar keratodermas.
  • The text presents the first documented case of pseudoainhum occurring in a 25-year-old woman with classic epidermolytic ichthyosis, who had a painful band on her fifth toe.
  • The initial treatment with z-plasty was unsuccessful, but a subsequent full thickness skin graft proved to be a successful alternative in treating her condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/objectives: Bullous impetigo (BI) is a common dermatologic condition, particularly in children, yet confusion regarding its diagnosis and treatment persists. This study measured pediatricians' ability to diagnose and appropriately treat BI and explored factors that might influence pediatricians' accuracy in managing BI.

Methods: We administered an expert-validated survey to 64 pediatrics house staff and faculty at three Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: African Americans underuse palliative care and hospice services because of a combination of factors including faith beliefs. As the spiritual family for many African Americans, the church presents an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice and end-of-life (EOL) decision making.

Objectives: We conducted a focus group study to understand the cultural and spiritual perspectives that influence decisions about palliative care and hospice among African American church members who visit and support persons with life-limiting illnesses.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines. The literature characterizing the medical, surgical, and obstetrics burden following typhoons is lacking. This study aimed to improve disaster preparedness by analyzing medical diagnoses presenting to a city district hospital before, during, and after Typhoon Haiyan.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Student feedback is a valuable asset in curriculum evaluation and improvement, but many institutions have faced challenges implementing it in a meaningful way. In this article, we report the rationale, process and impact of the Student Curriculum Review Team (SCRT), a student-led and faculty-supported organization at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. SCRT's evaluation of each pre-clinical course is composed of a comprehensive three-step process: a review of course evaluation data, a Town Hall Meeting and online survey to generate and assess potential solutions, and a thoughtful discussion with course directors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF