Dr. Nkechi Anne Enechukwu, MD (Nigeria)

Mentor: Dr. Lidia Rudnicka, MD

Warsaw, Poland 2019

Major goals for your mentorship experience: 1. To gain expertise in the evaluation and treatment of hair disorders, including trichoscopy. 2. To attain mastery in the application of dermoscopy in the early diagnosis of cutaneous malignancies and in general dermatology.

What did you like best about your mentorship experience?: • PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: I enjoyed the opportunity to have hands-on training in trichoscopy and dermoscopy. I was given a summary of the patient’s clinical history and then I performed a skin examination as well as trichoscopy/dermoscopy in addition to being involved in management decisions. • EDUCATION: I participated in several courses including an Advanced Dermoscopy course and a Psoriasis Experts’ Forum in Warsaw plus I attended division lectures in general dermatology. • RESEARCH COLLABORATION: With the knowledge gained, I will be collaborating with the dermatologists at the Warsaw University of Medicine conducting research on hair disorders, oculocutaneous albinism, and psoriasis in my country.

Describe any special experiences with your mentor: I particularly enjoyed Professor Rudnicka’s practical clinical tutorals on trichoscopy. Additionally, her teachings regarding leadership were very enlightening.

Describe a skill acquired during your mentorship that you will definitely use when you return home: I learned how to perform trichoscopy for the diagnosis and monitoring of hair disorders and dermoscopy for the evaluation of skin lesions. Additionally, I learned how to perform nail biopsies.

How will your mentorship experience impact your patient care and professional goals over the next year?: I intend to start a hair clinic, where trichoscopy will be performed on patients with hair disorders. This will promote early diagnosis, ensure proper management and reduce unnecessary biopsies. My training in dermoscopy will be particularly useful for individuals with oculocutaneous albinism in my community. Regular skin examination plus dermoscopy will ensure the early detection of premalignant and malignant skin lesions.

How will your mentorship experience make an impact five years from now, including for your region or country?: My experience will: (1) reduce the prevalence of advanced skin cancers in persons with albinism via early detection and the use of dermoscopy; (2) lead to earlier diagnosis of hair disorders with trichoscopy and a reduction in unnecessary scalp and skin biopsies; and (3) improve outcomes in individuals with hair disorders and oculocutaneous albinism.

Share a pearl you learned during your mentorship experience: “The dermoscope is the stethoscope of the dermatologist”.