Dermpath Fellowship "Reviews"

[MrKite]

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I am currently a dermatology resident and am developing an interest in dermpath. Before I decide whether to apply (which seems to be coming up sooner rather than later), I'm trying to find more information about generally highly rated or recommended programs. I can find lists of programs that have ACGME accredited fellowships but I would guess there isn't such a thing as a forum (besides this one) or somplace where I can get more information about which programs provide better training than others? Any information would be helpful...thanks!

 

[hawk126]

I'm also interested in getting this info... Pm me if necessary. Thanks!

 

[doc84]

I would like some info if anyone has any.

 

[Nilf]

It doesn't matter where you do your fellowship. You will still be clueless after you finish it. You will get a paper if you pass the boards, but it doesn't mean you know anything. The only way to learn this stuff is to sign out cases AND your name goes on the report. That's very very different from previewing for another dermatopathologists... Unless your program has '1 mistake and you are out' policy, or actually let's you sign out cases without any supervision. I am almost certain the latter never happens.

So... Any of these fellowships will do. Neither of them is any better or worse. It's what you do with your certificate that counts.

 

[Palintology]

It doesn't matter where you do your fellowship. You will still be clueless after you finish it. You will get a paper if you pass the boards, but it doesn't mean you know anything. The only way to learn this stuff is to sign out cases AND your name goes on the report. That's very very different from previewing for another dermatopathologists... Unless your program has '1 mistake and you are out' policy, or actually let's you sign out cases without any supervision. I am almost certain the latter never happens.

So... Any of these fellowships will do. Neither of them is any better or worse. It's what you do with your certificate that counts.

This is meant to be a joke, right? If not, this is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on this forum. The volume and breadth of cases you're exposed to, the quality of the dermatopathologists you're training under and the overall quality of the institution all matter tremendously when it comes to dermpath fellowship training.

 

[asmallchild]

This is meant to be a joke, right? If not, this is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on this forum. The volume and breadth of cases you're exposed to, the quality of the dermatopathologists you're training under and the overall quality of the institution all matter tremendously when it comes to dermpath fellowship training.

I think the poster meant that any program that is ACGME certified to teach dermpath is likely going to have sufficient volume, sufficient breadth of cases, and good teachers.

What distinguishes a dermatopathologist from the next is what they choose to do after training

e.g.

- people who exclusively handle dermpath may not be as great as a part time clinician/part time dermpath person in addressing inflammatory issues

- people who choose to cherrypick easy cases (no judgment here) may not be as great as those who specifically target melanocytic lesions

- etc etc

 

[dermathalon]

I think the poster meant that any program that is ACGME certified to teach dermpath is likely going to have sufficient volume, sufficient breadth of cases, and good teachers.

What distinguishes a dermatopathologist from the next is what they choose to do after training

e.g.

- people who exclusively handle dermpath may not be as great as a part time clinician/part time dermpath person in addressing inflammatory issues

- people who choose to cherrypick easy cases (no judgment here) may not be as great as those who specifically target melanocytic lesions

- etc etc

Agreed, that's how I read it too.

 

[Palintology]

I think the poster meant that any program that is ACGME certified to teach dermpath is likely going to have sufficient volume, sufficient breadth of cases, and good teachers.

What distinguishes a dermatopathologist from the next is what they choose to do after training

e.g.

- people who exclusively handle dermpath may not be as great as a part time clinician/part time dermpath person in addressing inflammatory issues

- people who choose to cherrypick easy cases (no judgment here) may not be as great as those who specifically target melanocytic lesions

- etc etc

I get it, but I think that's completely off base. Different programs have VASTLY different case loads, exposure to different types of cases as consults, numbers of dermatopathologists with different styles and backgrounds, etc. And dermatopathologists all are of varying quality. You learn from your mentors. If everything were equal we wouldn't need any clinical training, just a textbook and a certification exam. The practice of any aspect of medicine, including dermatopathology, is an art and that art is absolutely influenced by your environment and your instructors. Are you, yourself the most important element in your training? Absolutely. But these other factors matter a lot.

 

[asmallchild]

I get it, but I think that's completely off base. Different programs have VASTLY different case loads, exposure to different types of cases as consults, numbers of dermatopathologists with different styles and backgrounds, etc. And dermatopathologists all are of varying quality. You learn from your mentors. If everything were equal we wouldn't need any clinical training, just a textbook and a certification exam. The practice of any aspect of medicine, including dermatopathology, is an art and that art is absolutely influenced by your environment and your instructors. Are you, yourself the most important element in your training? Absolutely. But these other factors matter a lot.

To each their own I suppose, I tend to agree more with Nilf (caveat: I am not a dermatopathologist)

I think all fellowship programs will do an adequate job of giving you the background to start but I do feel how good a dermatopathologist you turn out to be probably depends on what you choose to pursue after training, how much volume in that particular area you get, and how much effort you decide to put into it

Now I'm sure if you have a specific interest within dermatopathology (cutaneous lymphomas, pediatric cases, ambiguous melanocytic lesions, etc etc), there may be programs out there that may be a better fit but with the limited number of dermpath programs out there, I don't think any offer significantly inferior training

 

[ChocolateKiss]

For dermpath, is it usually helpful to do an elective rotation at a program of interest during your derm residency?