Your Referring or Treating Dermatologist has invited you to participate in the Stanford University Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds because you have a skin condition.   Grand Rounds are part of the training and educational mission of the Department of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine.  The mission of the department is to teach physicians about dermatology, as well as to provide both patient care and research on the functional nature of dermatological diseases.  Grand Rounds are a weekly patient care and educational conference attended by physicians, dermatologists, and medical trainees from both Stanford University and the community at large. During Grand Rounds, cases that are rare, difficult to treat, and challenging to diagnose are presented, and a discussion is held during which attendees contribute their thoughts on possible approaches to the patient in question's care. You may benefit from participating in this conference, as many physicians will be carefully considering your case and offering input from a wide geographical region. Additionally, you may learn about new approaches to both the diagnosis and treatment of your condition. There is no charge to attend Dermatology Grand Rounds.

When you attend Dermatology Grand Rounds, you will be shown to an examination room where physicians and dermatology trainees will have an opportunity to examine your skin and possibly ask you questions. You will normally be in the examination room from about 7:20 AM to 8:00 AM. The doctors who examine you will be physicians, dermatologists, and medical trainees who are learning more about skin diseases as well as Stanford Faculty members who teach others about skin diseases.  The doctors who examine you may ask questions, which you may or may not answer. Your Referring/Treating Dermatologist may ask you not to answer any questions. This is done in order to allow the doctors who examine you to give an unbiased opinion without knowledge of your previous diagnoses or treatments. After everyone has had a chance to examine your skin, you will be informed by clinic staff when you may leave.

You may be asked to agree to allow us to take pictures of your skin condition. If you consent to allow us to take pictures of your skin condition, you will be asked to sign a consent form . You do not have to allow pictures to be taken in order to participate in Dermatology Grand Rounds. Please discuss any questions you have about whether or not to have photographs taken with your Referring/Treating Dermatologist. If you have any questions about the consent itself, they can be answered by the person at Stanford who will review the consent with you before you sign the consent.

If you consent to have pictures taken, a Stanford staff photographer will take pictures of your skin condition.  These images will then be shown and discussed in the physician conference that directly follows your examination.

After the physicians and trainees have examined your skin, they will meet in a confidential conference room and your condition will be discussed. You are not permitted to attend that conference. You will be identified by your initials, age and appearance of your skin lesions during that conference. Your Referring/Treating Dermatologist will be knowledgeable about your medical history, which will be shared with attendees of the conference. This is done to develop a diagnosis and beneficial treatment plan for you.

Your Referring/Treating Dermatologist has invited you to attend Grand Rounds because he/she would like to have additional dermatologists look at your condition or they would like to teach other physicians and trainees about your condition. Grand Rounds is an opportunity for your Referring/Treating Dermatologist to receive suggestions from other physicians. Your Referring/Treating Dermatologist is required to attend Grand Rounds while you are there. Your Referring/Treating Dermatologist may use the suggestions shared at the conference in formulating a diagnosis or plan for caring for your skin. You will remain a patient of your Referring/Treating Dermatologist who is responsible for your care and should communicate to you the outcome of the conference.

We require patients who attend Stanford Dermatology Grand Rounds to understand and sign this letter.  If you have questions, please consult your Referring/Treating Dermatologist or you can ask a Stanford representative before your Grand Rounds appointment. .

Patient viewing at the Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center in Redwood City is in the 4th Floor Dermatology Clinic. 

Driving directions to Redwood City Clinic

Parking & directions to the Grand Rounds at the Redwood City Clinic

Patient viewing at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose is in the 5th Floor Dermatology Clinic of the South Bay Specialty Clinic. Free parking for visitors and patients is in the Valley Specialty Center Building parking structure.

Maps and directions to the Ground Rounds at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

For questions regarding Grand Rounds, please send an email to: dermgrandrounds@stanford.edu