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For many centuries physicians have been at the cutting edge of scientific curiosity and self-education, but only in recent years have we become subject to a massive proliferation of courses, symposia, workshops, and forums all ostensibly designed to make us "better" physicians. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has been the undisputed world leader in education designed specificcally for purveyors of the cutaneous healing arts. And, year after year, an astonishing 70% to 80% of those physicians whose practice or training is limited to skin disease flock to the annual fount of knowledge. And, as these professional consumers have become more sophisticated and the teachers more effective, there has been a dramatic rise in the number and excellence of learning experiences (in 1977 there were 15 courses, 26 symposia, 39 forums, and 71 seminars in depth; in 1967 there were eight courses, 21 symposia, no forums, and no seminars in