Specialty Designation
Residency
Specialty Code
080
Type
Specialty
Specialty Description

A dermatologist is a physician with training and expertise in the diagnosis and medical/surgical management of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and mucous membranes.

Completing training
516
With known plans
421
Pursuing more training
103
Practicing in the US
217
Group practice
119
In same specialty
180
In same state as program
54
In NHSC or similar underserved area
1
Academician
99
Full-time
94
Military
1
Non-clinical research
1
Academic year
2022
Number of accredited programs
141
Length of accredited training
3/4
Minimum number of prior years required
1/0
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available immediately upon medical school completion
Sometimes
Average number of PY1 interviews
39.30
Percent of programs requiring Step 1 score for interview
86.50
Percent of programs requiring Level 1 score (for DOs) for interview
26.90
Total number of active residents/fellows
1563.00
Average number of residents/fellows
11.00
Average percent female
60.30
Average percent international medical graduates
3.60
Average percent DOs
15.70
Average number of full-time physician faculty
12.90
Average number of part-time physician faculty
2.40
Average percent female full-time physician faculty
51.50
Average ratio of full-time physician faculty to resident/fellow
1.40
Average hours on duty per week
45.60
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty
12.40
Average days off duty per week
1.90
Average percent of training in hospital outpatient clinics
75.30
Average percent of training in non-hospital ambulatory care community settings
31.40
Average number of days of vacation
18.40
Average resident/fellow compensation
63057.97
Specialty Overview

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a physician with training and expertise in the diagnosis and medical/surgical management of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and mucous membranes.

What does a dermatologist do?

Dermatology is a diverse specialty that combines medical, surgical and research skills with the curiosity and visual acumen of a detective.

Dermatologists’ eyes are uniquely trained to diagnose and treat thousands of conditions that affect the skin, and they help improve the quality of life and save the lives of patients from birth to old age. Dermatologists have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the skin, adjacent mucous membranes (mouth and external genitalia), hair and nails. Dermatologists have extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, moles and other tumors of the skin; acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, and other allergic and nonallergic inflammatory skin disorders; and a number of sexually transmitted infections. They also have extensive training and experience in dermatopathology, dermatologic surgery techniques, and the recognition of the  skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy) and infectious diseases. In addition, dermatologists have expertise in the management of cosmetic issues.

Many dermatologists see patients (either directly or through physician referrals) who have all types of skin concerns ranging from mild to debilitating to life-threatening. Dermatologists practice in private office, group and academic clinical settings, and many dermatologists are involved in research and education. In general, a work-life balance is possible.

Dermatologists perform many specialized diagnostic procedures, including microscopic examination of skin biopsy specimens, dermoscopy, cytological smears, patch tests, photo tests, potassium  hydroxide (KOH) preparations, fungal cultures, and other microbiologic examination of skin scrapings and secretions. Treatment methods used by dermatologists include externally applied, injected and internal medications; selected X-ray and ultraviolet light therapy; and a range of dermatologic surgical procedures. The training and experience of dermatologists in dermatologic surgery include electrosurgery, cryosurgery with the use of freezing surgical units, laser surgery, nail surgery, biopsy techniques, Mohs micrographic surgery, and excisional surgery with appropriate closures, including flaps and grafts. Some of the techniques used by dermatologists for the correction of cosmetic concerns are tumescent liposuction, filler and toxin injections, chemical peels, hair transplants, injections of materials into the skin for scar revision, sclerosis of veins, laser hair removal, and laser and light therapies to treat a variety of skin conditions ranging from aging skin to vitiligo.

Pediatric dermatologists have additional training and expertise in the evaluation and management of skin diseases that occur more commonly or exclusively in children (e.g., all types of birthmarks, neonatal dermatology, genodermatoses, pediatric infections or inflammatory processes, and pediatric skin diseases with complex medical conditions requiring coordinated multispecialty care).

Dermatopathologists are experts in the microscopic diagnosis of diseases of the skin, including infectious, immunologic, degenerative and neoplastic diseases, through examination and interpretation of specially prepared tissue sections, cellular scrapings and smears of skin lesions by means of light microscopy, electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

How to become a dermatologist?

Specialty training required prior to certification: Four years

To become board-certified in dermatology, physicians must fulfill the requirements of the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD). Board certification in dermatology is a prerequisite to subspecialty certification. After ABD certification, physicians enter Maintenance of Certification–Dermatology, a program of lifelong learning and self-reflection.

Association

 

Thumbnail

American Academy of Dermatology
950 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 500
Rosemont, IL 60018-5216
(847) 330-0230
aad.org

 

Grad Year
2022