Is a Dermatology Career Still a Good Choice?

Dr. Noah Scheinfeld, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Columbia University, has published a sophisticated, thought provoking article about the future of dermatology practice in the United States in his Legal Ease feature of the January 2013 issue of The Dermatologist (“Quo Vadis, Dermatology”?, pp. 20-21). In the future, private dermatology practice may not continue to be a viable option for many. This excellent article is currently available online at http://www.the-dermatologist.com/content/quo-vadis-dermatology

What PGY1 Does the American Board of Dermatology Approve?

The American Board of Dermatology (ABD) approves PGY1 years in Transitional, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, or Pediatrics for residents prior to Dermatology Residency. Those taking PGY1 in other disciplines must have permission from the ABD before starting dermatology residency.

Yale Dermatology Professor Predicts Major Changes in Medical Practice

Dr. David Leffell, in a Wall Street Journal Opinion column on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 (“The Doctor’s Office As Union Shop,”, page A11), highlights the potential acceleration of our national trend for physicians to become employees rather than employers due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014. This transition could result in doctors forming unions with the right to collective bargaining and creates the possibility of future physician strikes, as has been historically seen with other types of unions.

American Academy of Dermatology Diversity Mentorship Program Applications are now open

The American Academy of Dermatology is now accepting applications for its diversity mentorship program. Any medical student from an underrepresented background is able to apply. In this program, a student selects a volunteer mentor to complete a one month, 160 hour mentorship between June 1st and Dec 1st 2013. For their work, the student will receive a grant of $1500. To apply, please submit an application at https://www.aad.org/apps/mentorship/student/default.aspx along with a Résumé or curriculum vitae and two professional letters of recommendation. If you have any questions, please contact Nikki Haton at nhaton@aad.org or visit the website below http://www.aad.org/diversitymentorship.

UTMB MS1 Dermatology Preclinical Preceptorship Registration Completed

Four UTMB MS1s registered for the available dermatology preclinical preceptorships during Periods 11 and 12. Some students inquired about research opportunities in the dermatology department as well. Six MS1s requested subscriptions to the UTMB DIG Blog, so they will be receive new blog posts. MS3 Will Tausend, UTMB DIG Vice President (and former dermatology MS1 preclinical preceptorship student), assisted UTMB Dermatology Program Director, Dr. Richard Wagner, during student registration in Levin Hall. 

American Board of 2013 Dermatology Certification Examination

The American Board of Dermatology will hold its dermatology certification exams from July 15-18 and July 22-25 this year in Tampa, Florida. The completed electronic application and $2500 fee must be received by March 1.

UTMB Dermatology Offers 4 Preclinical Preceptorships to UTMB MS1s

This spring, the UTMB Department of Dermatology will once again offer clinical preceptorship to UTMB first year medical students. Two positions are available from 5/6/13 to 5/31/13 (Period 11), and another two positions are available from 6/3/13 to 6/28/13 (Period 12). Registration for these positions will be on a “first come, first serve” basis in Levin Hall on Thursday, January 17 starting at 5 pm. The first 4 students who want these dermatology preceptorships will be required to complete an application that will be available at the time of the meeting (PID number needed). A small alternative list will also be compiled. Students taking this preceptorship will rotate at UTMB dermatology clinics in Galveston and in League City. Feedback from DIG members who have taken this preceptorship have been very positive. It is a great way to meet UTMB dermatology residents and faculty, and learn more about clinical dermatology.

Inside versus Outside Dermatology Residency Matches

Applicants often analyze dermatology residency programs based on the current number of residents who graduated from its sponsoring institution. If programs seem to fill most of their available match positions with graduates from their own school, these programs may discourage outside applicants from doing away rotations, applying and interviewing. Why do inside applicants have a higher match rate at their own schools, and at schools where they have done away rotations? Parallels may be found in the business community, where data suggests that inside hires are initially more successful at adapting to the job demands of their own institutional culture, resulting in better job performance. Dermatology departments are more familiar with the relative strengths and weakness of their own students, since there has usually been an extended opportunity to see them work in a variety of departmental settings. Why wouldn’t the home program want to retain their own excellent students who are already known to be a good fit for the program? Currently at UTMB, 40% of the dermatology residents graduated from the UTMB SOM. In July 2013, the percentage of UTMB graduates in the program will shrink to 27%.

Texas Medical School Graduates Exceed Available PGY1 Positions in Texas

According to a report from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) in the January 2013 issue of It’s Academic (Volume 12, Number 1), Texas medical schools recently graduated 50 more medical students than there were available residency programs in our state. The TMA plans on requesting additional funding from the Texas State Legislature to increase the number of residency positions to accommodate future Texas medical school graduates.

How Does Dermatology Research Collaboration Strengthen Dermatology Residency Applications?

Medical students interested in dermatology careers may have an opportunity to work with dermatology residents and faculty on research projects, especially if they attend institutions with dermatology departments or divisions. How does involvement in such research improve an applicant’s chance for a dermatology match? If a presentation or a publication results from the work, it increases the student’s professional exposure in a positive way. More importantly, however are the professional ties developed to others in the specialty as a result of the collaboration. Your supervisors recognize the ability of medical student collaborators who are professional, are able to meet research deadlines, and are able produce high quality work. Your collaborators will enthusiastically share their experiences working with excellent medical students to others in the field through strong letters of recommendation that could result in additional residency interviews and the opportunity to match at other dermatology programs. Of course, if all student collaborative and clinical interactions are stellar, they might want to retain you as a future dermatology resident in their own program! Maybe that explains why in many cases, applicants have the best chance of matching at their home program.

Indoor Tanning Industry Pushes Back

According to an article published in the January 7-January 13, 2013 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek (page 29) by John Tozzi, the indoor tanning industry is planning to lobby against business regulation that could adversely impact their industry this year. Tozzi wrote that 28 million Americans currently tan in salons annually, generating approximately $5 billion each year. He reports that there are about 19,000 tanning facilities currently in the US.

Texas Dermatologic Society Editorial

UTMB Associate Professor of Dermatology and President of the Texas Dermatological Society (TDS), Dr. Michael Wilkerson, published an editorial in the Summer 2012 issue of The Texas Dermatologist. In his analysis of evolving dermatology clinical practice, he noted that, “We will soon have as many midlevel providers as board certified Dermatologists, if current trends continue.” Since most midlevel providers do not have an opportunity for a one year fellowship in dermatology prior to clinical practice, Dr. Wilkerson emphasized the need for continuing dermatology education for midlevel providers. Fortunately, TDS and American Academy of Dermatology meetings are open to midlevel providers if they are employed by a dermatologist.

Dr. Ashley Group Publishes Article About Cosmetic Dermatology

Congratulations to Dr. Ashley Group, the newest dermatology faculty member at UTMB. Dr. Group graduated from medical school at UTMB and also completed dermatology residency last year at UTMB. Her article, “Cosmetic Dermatology Training in Residency: Results of a Survey from the Residents’ Perspective,” was published in the December 2012 issue of Dermatologic Surgery (38:1975-1980). Her research was performed as part of the required dermatology program requirement for dermatology residents at UTMB. Her co-authors on this research were Drs. Rebecca Philips and Erica Kelly. Dr. Philips will begin her PGY2 year of dermatology residency at UTMB in July 2013, and Dr. E. Kelly is  dermatology faculty at UTMB.