Medical education in dermatology

Abstract

Dermatology faculty are responsible for the undergraduate education of all medical students, most of whom will not become dermatologists but will encounter skin disease throughout their careers, and are also responsible for the intensive, specialized graduate education of dermatology residents. Over the past 75 years, dermatology faculty have grappled with defining the fundamental curriculum, grumbled about time limitations, and debated the fundamental role of dermatology in general medical education. Although dermatology trainee education continues to evolve, fundamentals still focus on observational skills developed through clinical and nonclinical experiences. We highlight major trends and turning points in undergraduate and graduate dermatology education that have occurred during the career of Dr Irwin M. Braverman, many of which Dr Braverman himself influenced, and reflect on the current state of dermatology education at our institution.