Clinical Training

ACGME Program Requirements

Accredited training programs in dermatology shall be organized to provide residents with the educational and practical experience that will enable them to deliver superior specialized care to patients with diseases of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Such experience must be varied and broad, progressive and systematic, and of sufficient duration. Moreover, it must include instruction in the pertinent basic sciences and in all clinical areas that bear upon the specialty of dermatology and training in research and teaching. Accomplishment of these objectives requires a suitable institutional environment; a cooperative and supportive administrative authority; a stable financial base; an enthusiastic, competent, and available staff; an adequate patient population; modern, efficient equipment and space; and satisfactory liaison with other disciplines that relate to dermatology.

A four-year program must provide a broad-based clinical experience during the first year and three years of dermatology education in the second through fourth year of the program.

Dermatology Training

The resident's time throughout each year beyond the first year (i.e., PGY2-PGY4) must include direct care of outpatients and inpatients. This must include clinical conferences and didactic lectures related to patient care, consultations, inpatient rounds, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology, and other dermatology related subspecialty rotations. Scholarly activity should be integrated into these clinical activities. The Dermatology Resident will achieve the program goals through the following specific rotation objectives: 

PGY-2 First year residents will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate competence in both focused and full-body dermatologic examinations.
2. Show evidence of competence in obtaining both brief and complex dermatologic histories.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate use of the various types of biopsies as diagnostic tools.
4. Be able to utilize immunofluorescent and indirect immunofluorescent laboratory studies when appropriate.
5. Exhibit proficiency in special dermatologic techniques such as potassium hydroxide prep, Tzanck prep, hair morphology and examination, scabies prep, Wood's lamp examination, etc.
6. Perform simple outpatient procedures such as cryotherapy, electrosurgery, intralesional injection, etc.

PGY-3 Second year residents will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate competence in all objectives of first year residents.
2. Be able to generate an appropriate, complete differential diagnosis for all common dermatologic lesions.
3. Be able to implement a rational therapeutic program for common dermatologic conditions.
4. Understand and schedule appropriate patient follow-up in the outpatient setting.
5. Show good judgment in obtaining opinions from other specialties when pertinent to their patient's care .
6. Learn appropriate use and interpretation of patch tests.
7. Be able to appropriately utilize outpatient ultraviolet light therapy and be able to manage a patient dermatologic problem based on ongoing clinical assessment.
8. Be familiar with the major and minor indications for referral for micrographic surgery.

PGY-4 Third year residents will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate competence in all objectives of first and second year residents.
2. Be able to generate an appropriate, complete differential diagnosis for all dermatologic lesions, both common and rare.
3. Be able to implement a rational therapeutic program for both common and unusual dermatologic conditions.
4. Be able to author appropriate letters of follow-up to referring physicians and patients.
5. Utilize principles for complete medical record documentation and coding for services.