Cosmetics Training During Residency Necessary?

[brightoats]

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Note: This thread is NOT meant to debate the pro's and cons of doing cosmetic dermatology.

I know that the most common complaint across residencies is that they don't get enough cosmetics training, and it often comes up when evaluating programs. But, I also hear that the cosmetics stuff is pretty simple and very easy to learn, and does not really require dedicated time during residency. This seems contradictory - why would residents be concerned about the lack of training if it wasn't really necessary?

What is the consensus these days? If somebody wants to have a practice that has a cosmetic component to it, do you think that some graduates (eg UCLA, Miami) are significantly more prepared than others because the program has a stronger emphasis on cosmetics?

Does any of this really make a difference in the long-run (in terms of getting a job and being competent)? Does everybody just learn it at weekend courses and from company reps?

 

[Dermguy]

Note: This thread is NOT meant to debate the pro's and cons of doing cosmetic dermatology.

I know that the most common complaint across residencies is that they don't get enough cosmetics training, and it often comes up when evaluating programs. But, I also hear that the cosmetics stuff is pretty simple and very easy to learn, and does not really require dedicated time during residency. This seems contradictory - why would residents be concerned about the lack of training if it wasn't really necessary?

What is the consensus these days? If somebody wants to have a practice that has a cosmetic component to it, do you think that some graduates (eg UCLA, Miami) are significantly more prepared than others because the program has a stronger emphasis on cosmetics?

Does any of this really make a difference in the long-run (in terms of getting a job and being competent)? Does everybody just learn it at weekend courses and from company reps?

It was something I thought about during application season, and I don't necessarily want to do a lot of cosmetic stuff, but it's part of Derm, and I don't think a lot of it can be learned in a weekend course.

 

[asmallchild]

Note: This thread is NOT meant to debate the pro's and cons of doing cosmetic dermatology.

I know that the most common complaint across residencies is that they don't get enough cosmetics training, and it often comes up when evaluating programs. But, I also hear that the cosmetics stuff is pretty simple and very easy to learn, and does not really require dedicated time during residency. This seems contradictory - why would residents be concerned about the lack of training if it wasn't really necessary?

What is the consensus these days? If somebody wants to have a practice that has a cosmetic component to it, do you think that some graduates (eg UCLA, Miami) are significantly more prepared than others because the program has a stronger emphasis on cosmetics?

Does any of this really make a difference in the long-run (in terms of getting a job and being competent)? Does everybody just learn it at weekend courses and from company reps?

As unpopular as the term is on the interview trail, I too feel this is an important part of a residency program. Some of my favorite programs were the ones who were most open about it and actually had a formal cosmetics curriculum in place.

Simply put, the patients expect it out of their dermatologist and it would be nice to have some level of competency beyond the competing docs out there. (e.g. the OBGYNs, FPs, ER docs who practice cosmetics on the side) Weekend courses just won't provide us with a sufficient level of comfort with these procedures.

Of course, saying all that, I matched into a program that offers virtually zero cosmetic exposure. Guess the weekend courses/conferences will have to do

 

[N-Surge]

I expect very little in cosmetics during my Dermatology training (the residents where I Matched said there was very little). For me, it isn't what I plan on focusing on in my research and clinics. However...

...I am currently doing a 4 week Plastics rotation with a surgeon who is like 99% cosmetics. This has turned out to be a gold mine of information and first hand observation in areas that we definitely need to be more than aware of, imo. I want to have a better understanding of what our cousin fields, Plastics and ENT, are doing with regards to aesthetics. After two weeks I must say I am rather impressed at what can be offered and all the expertise required to provide safe and excellent results.

If you want to do cosmetics seriously consider PRS. You will be highly qualified to provide the most extensive arsenal of options for your patients, imo.

To the laundry list of ERs, FPs, and OB/GYNs, I add IRs (interventionalists!). I am not kidding...

If you can, I suggest doing this sort of rotation in the M4 year of your medical training (for anyone wanting to be a Dermatologist). I am glad I did. It has helped me begin to understand what I will be able to provide first hand and where my limits will be in this area.