Episodes

“Can you stand by the work? Are you proud of the work?” What does academic integrity look like when artificial intelligence can produce a polished manuscript—but the human author may never have done the thinking behind it? In this special Editor’s Choice episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Kirk Barber welcomes Professor Sarah Elaine Eaton for a lively conversation about post-plagiarism and the future of learning, authorship and medical publishing. Dr. Eaton is a professor and research chair...

"We used to think that cutis marmorata was an unserious bend. What we understand now is that it is often connected to very serious incidents of decompression sickness.” In this special Editor’s Choice edition of the JCMS Podcast, Dr. Kirk Barber ventures beneath the surface with renowned Canadian cave diver and underwater explorer Jill Heinerth. Jill takes us inside the spectacular and unforgiving world of cave diving, where meticulous preparation and strict safety protocols can mean the diffe...

“Three months after taking these tablets, she was 80 per cent better—without the risk, expense and everything that went with those procedures.” “It is life-changing for a lot of patients, and it has been a real practice changer for me.” What if one of the most effective treatments for melasma isn’t a topical cream or laser—but a low-dose oral medication? In this episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Vancouver dermatologists Dr. Vincent Richer and Dr. Allison Sutton ab...

“With artificial cognition, we have the ability to outsource the entire thinking or reasoning process itself. And that’s what we call cognitive surrender: the adoption of AI outputs without verification, without much internal engagement at all.” What happens to clinical judgment when physicians begin relying on artificial intelligence—and what happens when that technology is taken away? In this special Editor’s Choice episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Canadian acad...

“There’s probably a whole field that’s been affected by the sun and the resulting DNA damage.” An actinic keratosis may appear to be an isolated lesion—but it can also signal a much larger field of sun-damaged, precancerous skin. Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Dr. Steven Feldman about field cancerization and how its size should influence the treatment of actinic keratoses. They discuss the difference between treating individual lesions and an entire field, the role of topical therapies, and whet...

Reports of ticks are surging across Canada as blacklegged ticks expand into regions once too cold or dry to support established populations. What is driving their spread—and what does it mean for the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses? In this special Editor’s Choice episode, Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Dr. Katie Clow, one of Canada’s leading researchers in tick ecology and tick-borne disease. They discuss how climate change, migratory birds, wildlife and changing habitats are ...

“I don’t think we can keep patients hostage to the failings of our healthcare system.” — Dr. Stefanie Green Medical assistance in dying may not seem like an obvious subject for dermatologists—but nearly one in five Canadian dermatologists surveyed has been approached by a patient about MAID. Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Dr. Stefanie Green, founding president of the Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers, and dermatologist Dr. Mark Kirchhof about Canada’s MAID system and the role ...

"The same medication, the same dose—but given at bedtime improved efficacy by 150%." Does the timing of a medication influence how well it works? In this episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Dr. Elena Netchiporouk, Assistant Professor of Medicine at McGill University and attending dermatologist at the McGill University Health Centre, about the emerging science of chronotherapeutics. Dr. Netchiporouk explains how the body's circadian rhythms influence inflammation, im...

“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 Nico In 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 autho...

How can dermatologists better understand—and improve—the lived experience of patients with vulvar disease? In this episode of JCMS Author Interviews, Dr. Kirk Barber speaks with Dr. Marlene Dytoc about her article, Evaluating the Impact of the Vulvar Quality of Life Index for New Patient Dermatology Assessments, in the Jan/Feb 2026 issue of the JCMS. Together, they explore how the Vulvar Quality of Life Index (VQLI) helps capture the often-overlooked burden of vulvar conditions and can strength...

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 pat...

Pediatric hand eczema is more common than we think — and it’s not simply “adult hand eczema in smaller hands.” In this episode, Dr. Kirk Barber sits down with Dr. Sonja Molin to explore why pediatric hand eczema deserves its own clinical lens. From COVID-era handwashing to slime exposure, allergic contact dermatitis, and patch testing strategies, this conversation unpacks the real-world triggers affecting children today — and how to manage them effectively. They discuss practical treatment pea...

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 bul...

Dr. David Croitoru is a Toronto-based dermatologist and clinician-investigator at University Health Network and Women’s College Hospital. He leads Canada’s largest Pyoderma Gangrenosum clinic and supports national dermatology research and training through SKiN Canada.

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

Dr. Joseph Jorizzo is known for his expertise in medical dermatology and the cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. He is Professor of Dermatology at Wake Forest University and Clinical Professor at Weill Cornell. A prolific author and lecturer, he has contributed extensively to leading dermatology textbooks and has held key leadership roles within the American Academy of Dermatology.

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.

Dr. Mariusz Sapijaszko is a board-certified dermatologist, Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta, and Medical Director of the Western Canada Dermatology Institute. Dr. Sapijaszko specializes in skin cancer surgery and cosmetic dermatology and currently serves as President-Elect of the Canadian Dermatology Association.

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, t...

Medico-legal complaints against physicians are a significant source of anxiety and could be associated with defensive medical practices that may correlate with poor patient outcomes. Little is known about patient concerns brought to regulatory bodies and courts against dermatologists in Canada. The article discussed here aims to correct that.

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

Ray Zahab is a Canadian Explorer, ultra distance runner and Founder of non-profit impossible2Possible. A recent recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada, Ray is an Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. In 2015 Canadian Geographic recognized Ray as one of Canada’s Top Explorers. In 2024, Ray was awarded the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration, from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He has ran 17,000+ km across the world’s deserts, and unsu...

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

Dr. Joseph Lam is an Investigator and Pediatric Dermatologist with the BC Children's Hospital. He’s also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Dermatology and the Department of Pediatrics at UBC.