Dermatology is the next specialty we’ll explore in this continuing series, which is designed to help you think through some of your medical specialty options. What is dermatology? Dermatology is the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair, and nails in pediatric and adult patients. Depending on your dermatology practice, you may: manage contact dermatitis and other allergic and nonallergic skin disorders recognize symptoms of internal malignancy and infectious diseases perform a variety of surgical and cosmetic procedures, including excisions, laser surgery, hair transplants, and anti-aging treatments diagnose and treat skin cancer play a role in caring for normal skin The skills you’ll need as a dermatologist As a dermatologist, you’ll soon learn that many skin problems are symptoms of internal health conditions. You’ll need to understand not only how skin “works” but how the whole body functions. For instance, a skin rash may actually be caused by a digestive problem. You’ll collaborate with other doctors to consult on patient cases and explore a number of possibilities before you make a diagnosis or begin treatment. Attention to detail is also a key skill for dermatologists. Because there are such vast differences in patients’ lifestyles, habits, and genes, dermatologists need to be highly effective at pinpointing possible causes and narrowing them down from there. Training to be a dermatologist Your training in dermatology may take up to five years and includes: one year as an intern in either general surgery or internal medicine three years of clinical residency in dermatology the option for added training through a one- or two-year fellowship in a subspecialized field Subspecialties in dermatology You can certify into several dermatologic subspecialties, which will require added training and examination. Those subspecialties include: Dermatopathology. As a dermatologist who specializes in dermatopathology, you will diagnose and monitor skin diseases by examining and interpreting specially prepared tissue sections, cellular scrapings, and smears of skin lesions. Pediatric dermatology. Pediatric dermatologists diagnose and manage diseases of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes of infants, children, and teens. Micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology. This subspecialty emphasizes the surgical and medical management of patients who have high-risk cutaneous malignancies. You’ll study, diagnose, and surgically treat malignancies of the skin and adjacent mucous membranes, cutaneous appendages, hair, nails, and subcutaneous tissue. A dermatology resident’s average hours and pay According to the American Medical Association Residency & Fellowship Database (aka FREIDA Online), these are the average hours and pay you can expect as a dermatology resident: Average hours on duty per week: 45.5 Average maximum consecutive hours on duty: 12.2 Average days off duty per week: 1.9 Average resident/fellow compensation: $54,057 Dermatology and The Match for IMGs A report published by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) shows that 48.4 percent of U.S. IMGs matched to their preferred specialty. For non-U.S. IMGs, the overall match rate was 46.8 percent. The report documents the following statistics about IMGs who indicated their preferred specialty as dermatology in the 2016 Main Residency Match: Total positions offered in dermatology: 440 Total number of all applicants: 614 Number of all applicants per position: 1.40 U.S. IMGs Matched: 8 Not matched: 14 Total: 22 Non-U.S. IMGs Matched: 10 Not matched: 11 Total: 21 These numbers show a positive increase over the Results and Data 2015 Main Residency Match report, which showed the competitive specialty of dermatology in 2015 was filled entirely with U.S. seniors. Why become a dermatologist? According to PayScale, dermatology is one of the most highly compensated medical specialties practiced by doctors. Dermatologists in the United States are generously compensated, with average pay that surpasses six figures annually—about $205,000. Generally speaking, dermatologists are in high demand, work flexible hours, and can work in a number of environments, including private practice, hospitals, spas, research labs, clinics, or in classroom settings as an instructor. But for many who go into dermatology, the most rewarding aspect of the career is being able to provide life-changing health care to people of all ages. As a dermatologist, you can help improve a patient’s quality of life, relieve a condition, and restore good health and self-esteem. Source
