Evaluating dermatology curricula in US medical schools

To the Editor: The last comprehensive description of dermatology curricula in US medical schools found that responding programs offered an average 16.3 hours instruction and 8% required no instruction.1McCleskey P.E. Gilson R.T. DeVillez R.L. Medical student core curiculumin Survey.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009; 6: 30-35Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (55) Google Scholar A decade later, our study sought to characterize current state schools. school curriculum leaders at 151 allopathic holding accreditation status by Liaison Committee on Education June 28, 2018, were e-mailed invitations for participation a survey assessing their school's via Research Electronic Data Capture system.2Liaison EducationAccredited MD United States.http://lcme.org/directory/accredited-u-s-programs/Date accessed: July 24, 2018Google Survey responses received from 79 (52%). Schools reporting total greater than 3 standard deviations mean contacted confirm accuracy data. Among schools, 97.4% had 62 (78.5%) associated with department. Most incorporated lectures (97.4%) or small group (74.7%) as part curriculum. Three clinical dermatology. Although responded survey, only 69 completed fields indicating number instruction. 12.6 lecture (median, 10; range 0-34) 4.9 4; range, 0-33) over all 4 years school. Total instruction, including averaged 17.5 14; 0-42) years, approximately 1 additional hour compared 2009. Many optional (68.6%), 97.5% electives. without cited limited time elective. In all, 11 respondents indicated was inadequate owing administrative emphasis subjects other reliability this 52% response rate, bias strong may have led overestimate instructional hours. addition, relied self-reported data identification appropriate recipient filled out survey. Given burden dermatologic disease primary care,3Lowell B.A. Froelich C.W. Federman D.G. Kirsner R.S. Dermatology care: prevalence patient disposition.J 2001; 45: 250-255Abstract PubMed (102) Scholar, 4Fleischer A.B. Herbert C.R. Feldman S.R. O'Brien F. Diagnosis skin nondermatologists.Am J Manag Care. 2000; 1149-1156PubMed it is reasonable suggest minimum during adequately prepare future clinicians treat disease. Our identified competition barrier some Prioritizing exposure diseases utilizing standardized educational modules be strategies improve education time-efficient but effective manner.