How VisualDx Can Help You Stand Out on Dermatology Rotations

All medical students understand the importance of making a strong impression on residents and attendings during both home and away dermatology rotations. However, as a learner with limited medical and dermatologic knowledge, it can sometimes be challenging to know how to go above and beyond.

Fortunately, VisualDx provides all the tools you need to take a thorough patient history, accurately assess physical symptoms, present a well-considered differential diagnosis, and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Below are some tips on how to use VisualDx to help you excel during your dermatology rotations and beyond!

When taking a patient history, medical students often use the OLD CARTS mnemonic to ask questions pertinent to the history of a patient’s condition (onset, location, duration, character, aggravating/relieving factors, timing, and severity). To go the extra mile, you can explore the “Management Pearls” section in a VisualDx diagnosis to uncover additional questions that may be helpful to ask your patient. This will make your patient presentation more comprehensive, and you’ll find it easier to address any follow-up questions your attending may have.

• Example: If a patient presents with scaly plaques in the flexural surfaces and you suspect atopic dermatitis, consulting the Management Pearls section for that diagnosis can prompt you to inquire about their bathing habits and any allergies they may have.

If you find yourself stumped by a patient’s case, don’t worry—VisualDx’s search function can help you avoid telling your attending that you’re unsure. By searching your patient’s symptoms, you can identify diagnoses that match the physical description.

• Example: If a 53-year-old patient presents with tense bullae and itching on the trunk, entering these findings into the search box can generate differentials with similar symptom constellations. Results might include allergic contact dermatitis, poison ivy, or herpes simplex virus. From there, you can review images and read more about these conditions to arrive at a potential diagnosis.

For medical students, demonstrating your thought process is often more important than arriving at the correct answer. Attendings appreciate seeing how you’ve interpreted a patient’s story and physical findings to arrive at a diagnosis. If you have a diagnosis in mind, searching it on VisualDx and reviewing the “Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls” section can help you explore and compare other diagnoses that might present similarly. This will enable you to choose the diagnosis that best fits your patient’s case. When presenting your diagnosis to your attending, discussing why you ruled out other related diagnoses will enhance your presentation and make you appear well-read and knowledgeable.

• Example: If you suspect a patient has pityriasis rosea, searching for it on VisualDx and reviewing the Differential Diagnosis section can reveal similar conditions, such as tinea versicolor. To go a step further, you can use the “compare” feature to view a side-by-side comparison of two or more conditions. 

After presenting a diagnosis to your attending, take it to the next level by developing a treatment plan for your patient. Every diagnosis page on VisualDx includes a “Therapy” section that outlines common management strategies and pharmaceutical treatments. Being able to provide specific dosing and usage instructions for medications will make your patient presentation more comprehensive and impactful.

• Example: If you’re determining how to treat a patient with psoriasis, the Therapy section provides several options, including topical corticosteroids, UV light, and systemic therapy. You can also review the potency of different steroids and note the appropriate concentrations of medications and their recommended usage frequency.

By following these tips, you can use VisualDx to exceed expectations and truly shine during your rotations!