The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility and perceived academic/psychosocial outcomes of a pilot program using videoconferencing facilities to connect children with cancer to their home school. Eight parents, three patients, and five teachers (n = 16) participated in semistructured interviews evaluating the efficacy/feasibility of this program. Results were analyzed using the qualitative framework of Miles and Huberman. Parents reported that videoconferencing provided the family with a sense of normalcy and connection to the outside world (4/8), often boosting patients' mood (6/8). Further benefits included stronger relationships with classmates and teachers (15/16) and improved peer acceptance and school reintegration. There were no notable impacts on patients' academic progression. Reported barriers included: costs, time commitments, bureaucratic hurdles, and technical and logistical difficulties. Videoconferencing technologies provide an important tool to connect childhood cancer patients to their classrooms; however, further solution-based investigation is warranted to overcome existing barriers.

Background Since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011, the world has faced the most severe refugee crisis in history and 5.6 million Syrians have sought asylum in neighbouring countries or in Europe. According to recent estimates, more than 650 000 Syrian refugees are displaced in Jordan. Objectives This article aims to assess the demographic characteristics and skin disease profile of Syrian displaced people residing in Al Za'atari camp and in communities in Jordan. Furthermore, the authors discuss the barriers to healthcare provision experienced during field missions. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of medical records collected during three medical missions in Jordan by an international dermatological team. Data on patient age, gender, country of origin and skin disease diagnoses were recorded both in Al Za'atari camp and Jordanian towns near the Syrian border. Results A total of 1197 patients were assessed during the field missions, with 67.7% female and 37.1% under the age of 14 years. Dermatitis was the leading dermatological condition in both refugee camp and community healthcare clinics. Infectious diseases were the second most common; however, fungal presentations were more common in the community as opposed to viral in Al Za'atari. Conclusions High dermatitis presentations were likely secondary to the environment, living conditions and lack of access to emollients. Infectious diseases were postulated secondary to poor hygiene and sharing of overcrowded spaces. Barriers to health care included limited pharmacological formulary, difficulty in continuity of care and case referrals due to lack of specialized services. Better access to health care, improvement of living conditions and hygiene, and increased availability of medications including emollients and sunscreens are all interventions that should be carried out to reduce skin disease burden. Our findings should further urge the international community to uphold their commitments and uptake engagement in improving health care for Syrian displaced people.

BACKGROUND There is limited evidence to suggest patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) have more postoperative wound complications than the general population. Despite this, the authors have noted reluctance among some surgeons to operate on these patients. OBJECTIVE A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate postoperative wound and scar healing outcomes in patients with EB. METHODS Patients were asked to complete the “Surgical Wound and Scar Healing in EB” questionnaire, and data gathered were analyzed. RESULTS Forty-six patients completed the questionnaire for a total of 94 different surgical procedures. Five patients reported blistering at the surgical wound site. All 5 had generalized forms of EB. Four patients reported wound infections, and 1 patient reported wound dehiscence. The postoperative scar healed with keloid or hypertrophic scarring after 26% of the reported surgical procedures. CONCLUSION Blistering at the postoperative site seems to be uncommon and particularly unlikely to occur in localized forms of EB. Postoperative wound infections and dehiscence are uncommon. Patients with EB may have a propensity to develop keloid or hypertrophic scarring. With these data, the authors hope clinicians have greater confidence in referring patients with EB for surgery, and surgeons more reassured about postoperative wound healing.