Improvement of medical student dermatologic knowledge with combined educational module and participation in skin screening clinic

Abstract

Skin cancer rates are rising sharply in the United States, yet prevention and awareness, especially in underserved communities, remain limited. Compounding this, most medical schools lack a dedicated dermatology curriculum, leaving new physicians underprepared to manage common skin conditions. To address these gaps, we organized a skin screening fair at the Birmingham Free Clinic in Pittsburgh, providing underserved patients with dermatologic care and medical students with practical experience. Thirty students participated, with knowledge scores significantly improving from an average of 51.7% pre-test to 83.4% three months after the event. These findings highlight the value of incorporating community-based dermatology events into medical education to enhance dermatological training and improve access to care.