Dermatology PA Jennifer Conner interviews Larice, who has attended every live Elevate-Derm conference, about her experience on the final day in Palm Springs.
In this video
Larice explains that she first came to Elevate-Derm after starting a hybrid dermatology fellowship, encouraged by the PA she trained under, because of the "wealth of topics on the syllabus." She started in Austin and has returned every year since, describing conferences where she has "so much fun" and "learned so much." One clinical reminder she carries back is Dr. Craiglow's emphasis on staying "in touch with how your patient feels" — checking in on the severity a patient perceives versus what the clinician perceives, and holding onto that humbleness even when burnout sets in.
Conner and Larice frame connecting with colleagues as its own antidote to burnout. Larice got more involved this year on the conference app, where participants, sponsors, and faculty all post about themselves — an easy way "to break the ice" and network with PAs and NPs across the country. She describes Elevate-Derm as the "perfect balance" of feeling like school while still being rewarding and fun, and plans to return next year in Boston or Scottsdale, hopefully bringing friends along.
- Stay "in touch with how your patient feels" — assess the severity the patient is experiencing, not just what you perceive it to be.
- Guard against losing humbleness in daily practice; regular check-ins with patients help ensure you're doing all you can.
- Interacting with fellow PAs and NPs is a real way to prevent burnout.
- Use the conference app to network easily with participants, sponsors, and faculty alike.
- Elevate-Derm aims for the "perfect balance" of in-depth learning and fun, plus nationwide peer connections.
