RESIDENT CORNER Studying in Dermatology Residency Sophie A. Greenberg, MD a 2- or 4-week course consisting of modules such as RESIDENT PEARLS skin examination, basic science of the skin, dermato- • Independent study is a large component of dermatol- logic therapies, and specific dermatologic conditions. ogy residency. VisualDx offers LearnDermcopy (https://www.visualdx.com • Consistent habits and a tailored approach will support /learnderm/), which includes a 5-part tutorial and quiz optimal learning for each dermatology resident. focused on the skin examination, morphology, and • The beginning of residency is a good time to explore lesion distribution. Lookingbill and Marks’ Principles a variety of resources to see what works best. Toward of Dermatology1 is a book at an appropriate level the end of residency, as studying becomes more for anot medical student to learn about the fundamentals targeted, residents may benefit from sticking to the of dermatology. These resources may be helpful for resi- resources with which they are most comfortable. dents to review immediately before starting dermatol- ogy residency (toward the end of intern year for most). Studying during dermatology residency may be overwhelmingDo due to First Year the large amount of material and numerous resources available. This During the beginning of dermatology residency article provides an overview of available resources and a guide on (postgraduate year [PGY] 2 for most), the fire hose of tailoring one’s approach to studying throughout residency. information feels most daunting. During this time, study- Cutis. 2020;106:E23-E27. ing should focus on engendering a broad overview of dermatology. Most residencies maintain a textbook read- ing schedule, which provides a framework from which ermatology residency can feel like drinking from residents may structure their studying. Selection of a a firehose, in which one is bombarded with so textbook tends to be program dependent. Even if the Dmuch information that it is impossible to retain details of reading the textbook do not stick when read- any content. This articleCUTIS provides an overview of available ing it the first time, benefits include becoming famil- resources and a guide on how to tailor studying through- iar with what information one is expected to learn as out one’s training. a dermatologist and developing a strong foundation upon which one may continue to build. Based on my Prior to Residency informal discussions with current residents, some reported There are several resources that provide an intro- that reading the textbook did not work well for them, citing duction to dermatology and are appropriate for all too much minutiae in the textbooks and/or a preference for medical students, regardless of intended specialty. a more active learning approach. These residents instead The American Academy of Dermatology offers a free focused on reading a review book for a broad overview, basic dermatology curriculum (https://www.aad.org accompanied by a textbook or VisualDx when a more /member/education/residents/bdc), with a choice of detailed reference is necessary. Table 1 provides a list of From the Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York. The author reports no conflict of interest. Correspondence: Sophie A. Greenberg, MD, 161 Fort Washington Ave, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10032 ([email protected]). doi:10.12788/cutis.0082 WWW.MDEDGE.COM/DERMATOLOGY VOL. 106 NO. 2 I AUGUST 2020 E23 Copyright Cutis 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. RESIDENT CORNER textbooks and mobile applications (apps) that residents may be used to guide more focused studying efforts dur- may find helpful. ing the weeks leading up to the examination. First-year residents may begin their efforts in syn- thesizing this new knowledge base toward the end Second Year of the year in preparation for the BASIC examination. For second-year residents (PGY-3 for most) studying The American Board of Dermatology provides a content should focus on deepening and consolidating the broad outline as well as sample questions on their website foundation that was established during their first year. (https://www.abderm.org/residents-and-fellows/exam For many, this pursuit involves rereading the textbook -of-the-future-information-center.aspx#content), which chapters alongside more active learning measures, such TABLE 1. Select Textbooks and Mobile Apps for Dermatology Residents Resource Category Description Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin2 Textbook Major textbook for dermatologists Derm In-Review Study Guide Review book and e-book Available free of charge to (https://dermatologyinreview.com/lilly/) dermatology residents Dermatology3 (also referred to Textbook Major textbook for dermatologists as “Bolognia”) copy Dermatology: Illustrated Study Guide Review book Illustrated concise review book and Comprehensive Board Review4 Dermatopathology5 Textbook Basic overview of dermatopathology Lookingbill and Marks’ Principles Textbook Basic overview of dermatology, great 1 not of Dermatology resource for medical students Neonatal and Infant Dermatology6 Textbook Textbook on neonatal and infant dermatology Review of Dermatology7 Review bookDo Detailed overview, bold print of important boards factoids VisualDx Mobile app and website Check if your institution provides a (https://www.visualdx.com/) subscription Abbreviation: app, application. TABLE 2. Question Banks Available to Dermatology Residents Question Bank CUTIS Description AAD Board Prep Plus 1000 boards-style questions; subscription cost ranges from (https://www.aad.org/member/education/residents/board-prep) $249 for 3 months to $348 for 12 months Anki Free flashcard app; users may quiz themselves using (https://apps.ankiweb.net/) question banks that have been created by other users, including dermatology residents Derm In-Review >3000 boards-style questions; bank of >2100 flashcards, (https://dermatologyinreview.com/lilly/) kodachromes, and study guide; free for dermatology residents, courtesy of Eli Lilly and Company DermQBank >2300 boards-style questions; subscription cost is $249 for (www.dermqbank.com) 6 months and $299 for 12 months Abbreviations: AAD, American Academy of Dermatology; app, application. E24 I CUTIS® WWW.MDEDGE.COM/DERMATOLOGY Copyright Cutis 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. RESIDENT CORNER as taking notes and quizzing oneself using flashcard apps education series (https://www.jaad.org/content/collec- and question banks (Table 2). Others may benefit from tion-cme) may be particularly helpful to residents. In this listening to podcasts (Table 3) or other sources utilizing series, experts review a variety of dermatologic topics in audiovisual content, including attending conferences depth paired with quiz questions. and other lectures virtually, which is becoming increas- ingly available in the setting of the coronavirus disease Third Year 2019 pandemic (Table 4). Because there are so many As a third-year resident (PGY-4 for most), studying resources available to support these efforts, residents should focus on deepening one’s knowledge base and should be encouraged to try out a variety to determine beginning preparation for the boards examination. At what works best. this point, residents should stick to a limited selection Toward the end of second year, studying may be tai- of resources (ie, 1 textbook, 1 review book, 1 question lored to preparing for the CORE examinations using the bank) for in-depth study. More time should be spent on resources of one’s choice. Based on my discussions with active learning, such as note-taking and question banks. current residents, a combination of reading review books, Boards review courses historically have been available to reviewing one’s personal notes, and quizzing through dermatology residents, namely the Barron Board Review question banks and/or flashcard apps could be used. course and a plenary session at the American Academy of In addition to maintaining a consistent and organized Dermatology Annual Conference (Table 4). study schedule, second-year residents should continue to read in depth on topics related to patients for whom they Consistent Habits are caring and stay on top of the dermatology literature. Studying strategies can and should differ throughout Table 5 provides a list of medical journals that derma- dermatology residency, though consistency is neces- tology residents should aim to read. The Journal of the sary throughout. It iscopy helpful to plan study schedules in American Academy of Dermatology’s continuing medical advance—yearly, monthly, weekly—and aim to stick to TABLE 3. Select Podcasts for Dermatology Residentsnot Podcast Description AAD’s Dialogues in Dermatology Expert discussion of dermatologic topics, overview of JAAD (https://www.aad.org/member/education/continuing/dialogues) issues, and practice trends Dermasphere DoOverview of the latest dermatology research (https://dermaspherepodcast.com/) Dermcast TV Education for dermatology PAs (http://dermcast.tv/audio/) JAMA Dermatology Author Interviews Interview of authors regarding their recent publications in (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/pages JAMA Dermatology /jama-dermatology-author-interviews) Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Podcast Monthly; featuring interviews with and practical pearls from (https://jddonline.com/category/podcast)CUTIS