Getting the most out of the DLI

• Make and keep notes to refer to when doing the quiz.
• Support is available on the SDPA discussion forums at all times. Please be specific about what you have tried either on the forum, via private message or e-mail to one of the moderators so that they can provide effective guidance. (dlisupport@dermpa.org)
• Remember that the forum moderators are SDPA volunteers who may or may not have completed the case you are working on. Please allow some time for a response.
• Approach the cases as you would your patient. If the case fails, reconsider all factors from diagnosis to workup and management. Some cases require a more aggressive work up than you might regularly perform. Remember that this is a learning tool and may require a more "academic" work up.
• You may need to order many appropriate studies/treatments at the same time even if in the real world, you would do only one at a time.
• You may need to order tests that are associated with a diagnosis in the differential list or a medication chosen for treatment.
• DLI cases will allow you to order the pathology or selected labs first and confirm your diagnosis before going back and ordering associated studies, all before selecting your final diagnosis.
• Some cases require correct differential diagnoses.
• While there may be limited options for working up some of these diagnoses, many will have a variety of treatment options. Don't be afraid to choose options that you are less familiar with or have tried with less success.
• If there is broken skin, try a culture and treat accordingly.
• For many of the eczemetous skin conditions, consider patch testing.
• Approach workup and treatment of the cases as the final provider, as if you are responsible for the decision-making. The program is designed to assess your knowledge of these conditions and your ability to research unfamiliar diagnoses, not just the ability to initiate care and defer to your supervising physician, even if the diagnosis would, in reality, warrant such a move.