The Rizal Medical Center Department of Dermatology held its first Continuing Medical Education web conference last March 24, 2021. The CME presented a case of generalized pustular psoriasis that was managed successfully over teledermatology, and how continuous care for our psoriasis patients can still be done despite the challenges of a lockdown.

To formally open the event, the president of the Philippine Dermatological Society and chairman of Rizal Med Dermatology, Dr. Francisco Rivera IV, gave the welcoming remarks.

The first speaker was Dr. Lily Lyralin L. Tumalad, who presented the Psoriasis Clinical Pathway that has been specifically adapted to the clinical setting of Rizal Medical Center, and has likewise been reviewed by the PDS Photodermatology Subpsecialty Core Group.

Dr. Sheehan Mae Tolentino, a second year Dermatology resident, then presented an interesting case of pustular psoriasis managed over teledermatology during the time of the pandemic and lockdown.

This was followed by the reactions of Dr. Lily Lyralin L. Tumalad and Dr. Patricia Anne T. Tinio. Dr. Lily Lyralin Tumalad, the head of the Psoriasis Center of Rizal Med Dermatology, discussed the assessment of psoriasis over teledermatology and the measurement of the treatment parameters via teledermatology. She highlighted the effectiveness of teledermatology in treating patients with psoriasis, and also acknowledged the limitations of this platform. Dr. Patricia Anne T. Tinio, a member of the consultant staff of the Psoriasis Center, presented the diagnosis and treatment for generalized pustular psoriasis. She discussed isotretinoin as an alternative treatment option and ways to monitor patients on multiple systemic medications.

The next part of the program was the open forum. The panelists included members of the consultant staff of Rizal Med: Dr. Lily Lyralin L. Tumalad, Head of the Psoriasis Center; Dr. Patricia Anne T. Tinio and Dr. Alma Gay Concepcion T. Amado, members of the consultant staff of the Psoriasis Center; Dr. Rogelio A. Balagat, Head of the Rheumadermatology unit; and Dr. Jacqueline D. Melendres, head of the Teledermatology Unit. The open forum discussed telemedicine as a platform for consults for psoriasis patients, changes to the Psoriasis Clinical Pathway brought about by the pandemic, providing effective service delivery network to remote areas of the country, the use of isotretinoin in managing pustular psoriasis, and the evaluation of side effects from these systemic medications for psoriasis.

The Head of the PDS Photodermatology Subspecialty Core Group, Dr. Leilani R. Senador, then presented the Updates of the PDS Photodermatology Subspecialty Core Group.

To close the event, the vice president of the PDS, Dr. Noemie Salta-Ramos, gave the closing remarks.

This CME has shown that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, teledermatology is one of the platforms for us doctors to continue to deliver patient care and management, especially for our psoriasis patients.