Ask a Derm Resident Anything...

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This isn't school/career related but who is better to perform a subcision for a scar? A derm or a plastic surgeon? And how would you go about finding an excellent doc to perform that without getting referrals because of no health insurance and limited finance.
 
I have read this thread all the way through so I hope I am not repeating a question. I have been looking at some residency programs around the country and on a few of them I've seen that they say year one is PGYII. Does this mean that you do an internship year and then being your "first year" of derm residency? Some programs list it as a 4-year program while others a 3. Thanks for your time and the wonderful information that you've been sharing. Dermatology is one of about 3-4 specialties that I've enjoyed shadowing lately.
 
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Fopo said:
I have read this thread all the way through so I hope I am not repeating a question. I have been looking at some residency programs around the country and on a few of them I've seen that they say year one is PGYII. Does this mean that you do an internship year and then being your "first year" of derm residency? Some programs list it as a 4-year program while others a 3. Thanks for your time and the wonderful information that you've been sharing. Dermatology is one of about 3-4 specialties that I've enjoyed shadowing lately.
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I believe I found the answer to my question. It appears that all 3-year programs require a 1-year internship year prior to beginning the residency program. So, if this is correct, then do you apply to each portion separately? If you could explain some various scenarios or possibilities that would help me to understand this. And do all 4-year programs include the internship as part of their training program? Thanks again for your time; I greatly appreciate it!
 
isn't intern year 80 hrs per week? god damn.
 
Fopo said:
I believe I found the answer to my question. It appears that all 3-year programs require a 1-year internship year prior to beginning the residency program. So, if this is correct, then do you apply to each portion separately? If you could explain some various scenarios or possibilities that would help me to understand this. And do all 4-year programs include the internship as part of their training program? Thanks again for your time; I greatly appreciate it!
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You apply for a prelim year (medicine or surgery) or a transitional year (fancy prelim year) and then finish your final 3 years doing your derm residency. The prelim year or transitional year can be anywhere in the country.

Radiology, Opthalmology, RadOnc, etc also do these types of PGY-1 (Post-graduate year) years.
 
gettheleadout said:
I don't think I could take a physician who felt that way seriously.
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You'll lose the high and mighty notion soon enough. There are quite a few fields that don't call themselves doctors...

Derm
Radiology
Opthalmology
PM&R
etc.

Why? These guys don't treat 99% of the problems that people go to the doctor for. Their fields are super specialized, and they don't relate the the internist or general surgeon anymore. This isn't a problem tbh.
 
Fopo said:
I believe I found the answer to my question. It appears that all 3-year programs require a 1-year internship year prior to beginning the residency program. So, if this is correct, then do you apply to each portion separately? If you could explain some various scenarios or possibilities that would help me to understand this. And do all 4-year programs include the internship as part of their training program? Thanks again for your time; I greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
The vast majority of programs are 3-year programs that require you to complete an internship in internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, or a transitional year (where you rotate through a number of specialties) before starting. You apply to both dermatology and internship programs during the same application season using the same common application form. However, you submit separate rank lists for both - if you match into a 3-year derm program, the system automatically goes down your internship rank list and matches you into a first year position as well.

The 4-year programs (which comprise about 10% of the derm positions out there), all have a built-in internship.

I hope that answers your question.
 
fahimaz7 said:
You apply for a prelim year (medicine or surgery) or a transitional year (fancy prelim year) and then finish your final 3 years doing your derm residency. The prelim year or transitional year can be anywhere in the country.

Radiology, Opthalmology, RadOnc, etc also do these types of PGY-1 (Post-graduate year) years.
Click to expand...


Ok, so I guess my question remains as to whether you have to apply to both programs. Do you apply to the pgy-1 year and then apply for derm while in that year or do you apply to both and the derm residency just waits for you to finish your pgy-1? Does that make sense? I guess I wonder how students match into derm if they still have to do an internship year. Does that mean you have to match into two different programs? Thanks for the info!
 
fahimaz7 said:
You'll lose the high and mighty notion soon enough. There are quite a few fields that don't call themselves doctors...

Derm
Radiology
Opthalmology
PM&R
etc.

Why? These guys don't treat 99% of the problems that people go to the doctor for. Their fields are super specialized, and they don't relate the the internist or general surgeon anymore. This isn't a problem tbh.
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I realize you haven't rotated through any of those fields, and likely have only had minimal exposure to them so far, but I'm honestly still surprised to hear an MS3 making such an ignorant, uninformed statement.

I haven't met a single resident or attending in any of those fields that didn't consider themselves to be a physician. Anyone who told you otherwise was likely making a joke, and you probably shouldn't have taken them seriously.
 
Fopo said:
Ok, so I guess my question remains as to whether you have to apply to both programs. Do you apply to the pgy-1 year and then apply for derm while in that year or do you apply to both and the derm residency just waits for you to finish your pgy-1? Does that make sense? I guess I wonder how students match into derm if they still have to do an internship year. Does that mean you have to match into two different programs? Thanks for the info!
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Skinceutical, correct me if I'm wrong.

You can apply to match into your derm program at the same time that you apply to match into your PGY1; you just enter 1 year later. This is the most common path taken by success derms.

Some who don't gain entry into derm will do the transitional year (PGY-1) at a prestigious hospital in the hopes that they can use that status to catapult themselves into a derm program, but I know little about this option.
 
tantacles said:
Skinceutical, correct me if I'm wrong.

You can apply to match into your derm program at the same time that you apply to match into your PGY1; you just enter 1 year later. This is the most common path taken by success derms.
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This is true.

tantacles said:
Some who don't gain entry into derm will do the transitional year (PGY-1) at a prestigious hospital in the hopes that they can use that status to catapult themselves into a derm program, but I know little about this option.
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This is partially true. People who don't match in derm typically do try to do internships at prestigious academic hospitals. However, these are usually preliminary internal medicine internships. Transitional years are usually at smaller community hospitals, and are usually considered easier/less rigorous than IM internships.
 
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Skinceutical said:
The vast majority of programs are 3-year programs that require you to complete an internship in internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, or a transitional year (where you rotate through a number of specialties) before starting. You apply to both dermatology and internship programs during the same application season using the same common application form. However, you submit separate rank lists for both - if you match into a 3-year derm program, the system automatically goes down your internship rank list and matches you into a first year position as well.

The 4-year programs (which comprise about 10% of the derm positions out there), all have a built-in internship.

I hope that answers your question.
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It does!! Thanks so much. So, I guess that leaves the final question, if you do NOT match into a derm residency you do NOT match into an internship program and instead if you applied to a second preference specialty you'll just match into that instead? I hope that question makes sense. This has been MOST informative! Thanks again.
 
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Fopo said:
It does!! Thanks so much. So, I guess that leaves the final question, if you do NOT match into a derm residency you do NOT match into an internship program and instead if you applied to a second preference specialty you'll just match into that instead? I hope that question makes sense. This has been MOST informative! Thanks again.
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Correct.

That said, many people who are set on going into dermatology will just rank internship programs instead of a second choice specialty beneath derm. As a result, if they don't match in derm, they'll match in a 1-year internship program only, with a plan to try for derm again in the future.
 
dermocrat88 said:
What is your view about pre-med students doing Derm-related volunteer projects through AAD?
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I don't think there's anything wrong with it. However, it isn't going to do anything to help your residency application, if that's what you're hoping for. The only extracurricular anyone is going to care about on your residency application is research and presentations, unless you've done something truly extraordinary.
 
Skinceutical said:
I don't think there's anything wrong with it. However, it isn't going to do anything to help your residency application, if that's what you're hoping for. The only extracurricular anyone is going to care about on your residency application is research and presentations, unless you've done something truly extraordinary.
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Do you think it would be a good idea to start on a research project with my dermatologist that I've shadowed? I was thinking of asking him if he had any research ideas and then maybe go with that or maybe I'll just ask him if he has any ideas that I could wait and pursue once I start school this summer/fall. I'd like to get a jump on it but maybe it'd be better just to wait.
 
Furthermore, for any of those specialties that you can do a separate intern year (derm, anes, etc.), do you have to interview at both places (intern year and rest of residency)? Seems like that could add up very quickly!
 
bassvp said:
Furthermore, for any of those specialties that you can do a separate intern year (derm, anes, etc.), do you have to interview at both places (intern year and rest of residency)? Seems like that could add up very quickly!
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Yes, you do have to interview separately. It does get very expensive, very quickly.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=890467

Fopo said:
Do you think it would be a good idea to start on a research project with my dermatologist that I've shadowed? I was thinking of asking him if he had any research ideas and then maybe go with that or maybe I'll just ask him if he has any ideas that I could wait and pursue once I start school this summer/fall. I'd like to get a jump on it but maybe it'd be better just to wait.
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I don't think it would hurt to ask him if he has any ideas. If he's in private practice, however, the chances of him being actively involved in research are slim.
 
Skinceutical said:
I realize you haven't rotated through any of those fields, and likely have only had minimal exposure to them so far, but I'm honestly still surprised to hear an MS3 making such an ignorant, uninformed statement.

I haven't met a single resident or attending in any of those fields that didn't consider themselves to be a physician. Anyone who told you otherwise was likely making a joke, and you probably shouldn't have taken them seriously.
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Ask those guys to manage a guy with a complicated pneumonia and see what happens. The point here was that those fields are so far off the normal "doctor" training that they no longer call themselves doctors... they call themselves by the name of their field (ie. Dermatologist, Radiologist, Opthal). That was the point that I was making.

Thanks for being a condescending guy though. I <3 comments like that since I have 3/4 fields in my family, and all of those say just what I put above. I didn't say that every doctor in those fields agree with that post, but that there are "quite a few" that do.
 
OP do you see unfair treatment towards residents in your program? Do residents get kicked out of the program for being incompetent or whatever the reason? If so how many (percentage wise)? Thanks in advance!
 
Thank you for donating your time to the forum; your insight and knowledge make this one of the most useful threads I have seen in a very long time. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.

On that note, would you deem it safe to apply apple cider vinegar on unraised skin moles in an attempt to remove them?
 
flodhi1 said:
OP do you see unfair treatment towards residents in your program? Do residents get kicked out of the program for being incompetent or whatever the reason? If so how many (percentage wise)? Thanks in advance!
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Haven't heard of it happening in derm. That might be more of an issue in smaller, lower-tier, primary care programs, which likely accept more borderline applicants to begin with.

S1lv3rJ4g said:
On that note, would you deem it safe to apply apple cider vinegar on unraised skin moles in an attempt to remove them?
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It's not going to accomplish anything (except maybe giving you a mild irritant contact dermatitis).
 
Hello all,

I am a dermatologist presently working as a senior resident at St John's Medical college, Bangalore. I have done a year of dermatosurgery Fellowship from the same hospital. Its been 3 years since i've completed my MD.
My husband, a neurosurgeon will be coming to USA for a fellowship in endovascular suregry. He has written and cleared all his USMLE steps.
Since we are to be in USA for a limited period of time, 2 years, I have not written my steps yet.However, I am very interested in the field of Dermatology and am willing to work hard. Is there any option I have to continue working in dermatology without giving my steps?
Is reasearch assistant the only option i have?

Please help me out and advise.

Thanking you all
 
:bang:

Edit: Sigh, nothing to see here. Guy bumped this and then deleted his post. :(
 
Why is derm one of the most competitive specialities?
 
qwe7791 said:
Why is derm one of the most competitive specialities?
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Because the compensation is very high and the hours among the best. There's practically no call compared to other specialties, which also makes for a wickedly chill residency. Lastly, if you pursue a MOHS fellowship, your earning potential is among the very top.

From what I've seen, though, the most competitive residency is plastics, likey due to prestige and compensation.
 
mcloaf said:
:bang:

Edit: Sigh, nothing to see here. Guy bumped this and then deleted his post. :(
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I thought dermadoctor randomly bumped the thread (linked here from another "ask me anything" thread) and then I saw the post date so I deleted it. All I said was interesting...
 
ToldYouSo said:
I thought dermadoctor randomly bumped the thread (linked here from another "ask me anything" thread) and then I saw the post date so I deleted it. All I said was interesting...
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Yeah I agree about dermadoctor. Her activities are a bit suspicious since she posted the same thing in three other threads. Guess it was hidden.
 
Guero said:
Because the compensation is very high and the hours among the best. There's practically no call compared to other specialties, which also makes for a wickedly chill residency. Lastly, if you pursue a MOHS fellowship, your earning potential is among the very top.

From what I've seen, though, the most competitive residency is plastics, likey due to prestige and compensation.
Click to expand...

It's the lifestyle more than the money. Derm is no where near the top of the salary range, but the predictable hours and light call are very attractive.
 
thesauce said:
It's the lifestyle more than the money. Derm is no where near the top of the salary range, but the predictable hours and light call are very attractive.
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But wouldn't you say Mohs is near top for compensation? Or am I mistaken? And I have the oomph to say that I may very well be wrong. I always admit when I'm wrong :)
 
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mcloaf said:
:bang:

Edit: Sigh, nothing to see here. Guy bumped this and then deleted his post. :(
Click to expand...

Idk looks like you necrobumped the thread

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile
 
Guero said:
But wouldn't you say MOHS is near top for compensation? Or am I mistaken? And I have the oomph to say that I may very well be wrong. I always admit when I'm wrong :)
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I shadowed a doc who did 4 MOHS per day three days per week and had clinic on Friday. Three day weekend every week.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile
 
What's your favorite strata of the epidermis?

And how do I keep my apocrine glands in check?
 
Guero said:
But wouldn't you say MOHS is near top for compensation? Or am I mistaken? And I have the oomph to say that I may very well be wrong. I always admit when I'm wrong :)
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Mohs took a big cut several years back. It's a lot less lucrative than it was even 3 years ago.
 
Guero said:
But wouldn't you say MOHS is near top for compensation? Or am I mistaken? And I have the oomph to say that I may very well be wrong. I always admit when I'm wrong :)
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It's not all capitalized. Mohs was a general surgeon.
 
Do you have any advice for those of us still on the premed path?
 
thesauce said:
Mohs took a big cut several years back. It's a lot less lucrative than it was even 3 years ago.
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MOHS_01 said:
Tell me about it. :(
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Ouch, thanks for clarifying. It appears that it may take another hit as the reimbursement regulations change under ACA, along with many other specialists. Do you think primary care reimbursement will actually increase as predicted? If so, any thoughts on how much (ballpark)?
TheProwler said:
It's not all capitalized. Mohs was a general surgeon.
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Oops, thanks for pointing that out.
 
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