On Preventing an Unnecessary Confrontation

Increased interest in dermatologic surgery seems to be setting the stage for a confrontation within our small specialty—it is a battle we should not have to undergo, especially at a time when we need to cooperate for the greater good. We fall into three loosely defined groups uneasily eyeing one another: those who are performing dermatologic surgery and are seeking widespread acceptance of their skills; those who are not performing dermatologic surgery and are worried about how the surgical trend affects them; and those who are teaching dermatology and are uncertain of the scope of their responsibility in preparing residents in dermatologic surgical procedures. THE SURGICAL DERMATOLOGIST Surgery is not new to dermatology, but, in the past ten to 12 years, the interest in surgical training and the complexity of surgical procedures being performed in the office has grown greatly. To some extent, this interest has been fostered by the