Cutis: Studying in Dermatology Residency

by Sophie A. Greenberg, MD (AUGUST 2020)

Dermatology residency can feel like drinking from a fire hose, in which one is bombarded with so much information that it is impossible to retain any content.

Prior to Residency

There are several resources that provide an introduction to dermatology and are appropriate for all medical students, regardless of intended specialty. VisualDx offers LearnDerm, which includes a 5-part tutorial and quiz focused on the skin examination, morphology, and lesion distribution.

First Year

During the beginning of dermatology residency (postgraduate year [PGY] 2 for most), the fire hose of information feels most daunting. During this time, studying should focus on engendering a broad overview of dermatology. Most residencies maintain a textbook reading schedule, which provides a framework from which residents may structure their studying.

Based on my informal discussions with current residents, some reported that reading the textbook did not work well for them, citing too much minutiae in the textbooks and/or a preference for a more active learning approach. These residents instead focused on reading a review book for a broad overview, accompanied by a textbook or VisualDx when a more detailed reference is necessary.

Read the full article for more guidance on studying in dermatology residency.