Tougher Grading Standards Anticipated for Dermatology Resident Milestones

Presentations at the Association of Professors of Dermatology (APD) last month indicates that more stringent evaluation of dermatology resident milestone competencies are expected from those creating the evaluation tools that will be used starting in July 2014. Evaluation forms presented at the 2013 APD meeting had ratings ranging from “1” (“below expected first year”) to “9” and “10” (mastery level). It was clear from the educational presentation that most residents would never achieve mastery level during residency because the comparison is senior dermatology faculty. A rating of “8” denotes “ready for unsupervised practice” and has been the standard for program completion. Ratings of “6” or “7” are “senior resident performance.” PGY2 dermatology residents are expected to be achieve a rating of either “2” or “3” (“beginning resident level”).