Forum for Nordic Dermato-Venereology No 3, 2019 Telemedicine | Page 3

Preface
The present issue is managed by a Guest Editor: Dr Carsten Saur Mikkelsen. Dr Mikkelsen is working at the Research lab,
Department of Dermatology, University of Aalborg and Private Dermatology Practice in his own clinic in Brønderslev, Denmark
since 2010. He has also practised in Greenland and in several places in Norway. In this issue he presents some papers regarding
Teledermatology in Denmark, Greenland, Norway, and Sweden.
T he E ditor , A gneta A ndersson
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone as a Dermatologist!
Getting stuck in a routine work is easy to do – even for a Dermatologist! After all, humans are creatures of habit. In order to be
more creative, you try new things and experience things in a new perspective.
For me – being a Dermatologist in Scandinavia is a huge priviledge with the possibility to work in other Nordic countries with
similar education and skills. At the same time, I got the possibility to learn new dermatological techniques and meet interesting,
positive, inspiring people from abroad. For my own experience Norway and Greenland have given me these experiences.
In Greenland where I have worked within the field of internal medicine and surgery (Nuuk, Manitsoq, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq and
Narsaq), I have experienced a very interesting, intellectual culture and seen rarely described diseases such as rheumatic fever
and recurrent Kawasaki disease.
In Norway (Kirkenes, Vadsjøen, Stockmarknes, Bodø, Mossjøen, Ålesund, Egernsund and Stavanger) I have learnt the consequences
of lack of access (especially in Finnmark and Nordland) to dermatologist services to get proper diagnosis and treatment. My good
friend and colleague Dr Kristian Bakke Arvesen has inspired me to develop quality teledermatology in Norway.
Dr John Paoli describes crystal-clear the possibilities in Sweden.
This statement is only sent to encourage other Scandinavian dermatologists to think outside their comfort zone. I hope this issue
of Forum for Nordic Dermato-Venereology can inspire you to do so!
In May 2019
C arsten S auer M ikkelsen
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