During the two-week dermatology elective rotation, family medicine residents learn to diagnose skin conditions on various skin types and perform skin procedures with community dermatologists.
Overview:
The dermatology rotation is usually a one-half block preceptorial rotation. The rotation occurs at Memorial Hospital, in the dermatologist’s office, and in other locations included in the dermatologist’s usual practice. The teaching of dermatology in the program includes this rotation as well as experiences in the Family Medicine Center, the noon conference series, and on other rotations (See other curricula.).
Goals:
1) At the completion of this rotation, the resident will have an understanding of the practice of dermatology in a community setting which will facilitate appropriate referral practices in the future.
2) At the completion of this rotation, the resident will have knowledge and skills in the areas of dermatology pertinent to the practice of family medicine.
Objectives:
At the completion of this rotation, the resident will have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the dermatology preceptor:
–medical knowledge in dermatology pertinent to the practice of family medicine, including the ability to apply knowledge of the following: common dermatologic disorders, management of common skin cancers, pharmacology of skin medications. (MK)
–the ability to perform an appropriate history and physical examination on the dermatology patient and to present these findings to another physician in an appropriate manner (PC).
–the ability to interpret appropriate data related to the dermatology patient and arrive at reasonable diagnostic and management decisions, weighing alternatives, benefits, and risks of diagnostic and therapeutic options, and co-managing patients appropriately with other specialists (PC).
–the ability to make appropriate decisions to assure high-quality care in a cost-effective manner (SBP).
–communication and interpersonal skills which facilitate positive and therapeutic relationships (ICS).
–the ability to work cooperatively with other health professionals as part of a health care team (ICS).
–compassion, respect, and integrity; responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that supersedes self-interest; accountability to patients, society, and the profession; a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development (P).
–sensitivity and responsiveness to a patient’s culture, age, gender, and disabilities (P).
There are no specific procedural requirements for this rotation. However, there is a separate Procedures Curriculum and residents may gain experience meeting these requirements during this rotation. Procedures typically performed by residents with the dermatology on this rotation include: biopsies, scraping and microscopic examination, dermoscopy, injection, incision and drainage, destruction of lesions, skin-closure. (PC)
Implementation:
This is a preceptorial rotation, so the resident is assigned to a particular dermatologist or dermatology group. The resident will accompany the dermatologist during their professional activities in Memorial Hospital, in their office, and in other locations involved in the preceptor’s usual practice. In the course of seeing patients, the dermatologist will provide experiential learning, role-modeling, and one-on-one teaching to the resident. At the discretion of the preceptor, the resident may be assigned to research specific topics in dermatology.
The resident is responsible for contacting the dermatologist prior to the start of the rotation to arrange a schedule for the rotation. The resident must continue to meet usual residency obligations to their Family Medicine Center population including attending scheduled clinics, caring for continuity patients admitted to Memorial Hospital, and rounding in the nursing home. The resident is expected to attend noon conferences and abide by duty hour restrictions in keeping with usual program policies. Upon completion of the rotation, the resident must complete and return the evaluation form provided by the program.
Evaluation:
The dermatology preceptor will complete an evaluation form at the end of the rotation. Residents will specifically be evaluated on the following ACGME Milestones:
- PC-1: Cares for acutely ill or injured patients in urgent and emergent situations and in all settings.
- PC-2: Cares for patients with chronic conditions.
- MK-1: Demonstrates medical knowledge of sufficient breadth and depth to practice family medicine.
- PROF-2: Demonstrates professional conduct and accountability.
- ICS-2: Develops relationships and effectively communicates with physicians, other health professionals, and healthcare teams.
