Clinical Team

Nursing and phototherapy

Narrowband UVB phototherapy at DermCare is delivered on site by nursing staff under the order of a dermatologist. The dermatologist decides that phototherapy is appropriate, sets the starting dose and the treatment schedule, and reviews progress. The nursing team then carries out each session. The clinic has one phototherapy unit, so session times are limited and are booked in advance.

For patients, this means the same staff at each visit, up to three times a week over a course of several weeks. The nurse checks the skin before every session, records the dose delivered and any reaction, adjusts the dose within the limits the physician has set, and flags anything unexpected to the dermatologist. Patients are shown how to protect their eyes and untreated skin, and are told what to expect between sessions.

For referring physicians, the nursing team is the point of contact for a patient already in treatment. Progress and any interruptions to the course are reported to the treating dermatologist, who reports back to your office when the plan changes. Details of the service are on the phototherapy page.

The referral desk

Referrals sent to the practice are opened and triaged by a clinic coordinator, who checks each one for completeness and passes clinical questions to a physician. Once a referral has been triaged, the desk contacts the patient to book, confirms the appointment and sends the consultation report back to the referring office after the visit.

For referring offices, the desk is the first call for anything to do with a referral: whether it has been received, where it sits in the queue, what is missing, and how to mark a case urgent. Call 905 625 5600 and ask for the referral desk, with the patient's name, date of birth and the date the referral was sent. Referrals themselves go by fax to 905 625 5650.

For patients, the desk is who calls to book, who explains what to bring and who to tell if contact details change. Please expect a call from a 905 number after your physician has sent the referral.

Research coordination

DermCare takes part in sponsored clinical research, including a Phase 2 study in adolescent hidradenitis suppurativa that is currently recruiting (NCT07213973). Coordinating that work means screening potential participants against the study criteria, explaining the study and the consent process, scheduling study visits, collecting the data the protocol requires and liaising with the sponsor and the research ethics board.

Taking part in a study is always voluntary and never affects standard care at the clinic. Patients who want to ask about a study, before or after enrolling, and referring physicians who want to check the criteria before making a referral, can write to research@dermcare.ca or call the office. How research coordination is staffed, and who to ask for by name, is to be confirmed before publication. See current studies.

Working at DermCare

Information about roles in the practice and how to express interest is on the careers page.