Do you have to do research to get into derm?

[deleted445355]

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Hi guys,

I was wondering if research is necessary to land a derm residency. I know it's a research-heavy field, but I'm not interested in academic medicine. I just want to be a group-practice dermatologist. However, I'm not sure if I'll be a severe disadvantage if I don't do any research. Research just isn't my thing. But if it will make me significantly less competitive than other applicants, then I guess I have to do it. I'm not interested in the top derm programs. To me, location matters more and I'd love to go to U Miami derm residency and get a apartment by the beach. Do you need research even to get into a lower-tier derm residency program or it is mostly just valued by top derm programs that are research-heavy and based on academic medicine? I know one guy who went to NEOMED (it's not a prestigious school by any means and no research opportunities) and landed into a radiology residency at U Miami. Radiology is also a competitive specialty and I was thinking, if he can land into a competitive specialty into the location of my choice without any research, then perhaps I can too. Please let me know what you guys think.


Thanks,

PP

 

[Cinclus]

You have to make yourself as competitive as possible for Derm. Everyone else will have research, so you should probably have it, too.

 

[Warderino92]

People sometimes spend a extra year after medical school doing research in derm just so they have a chance at getting in. I'd recommend that you worry about crushing step 1 first and if you score high enough worry about what you need research wise afterwards.

 

[PhillyMed777]

Let's make this easy...yes, you need research. Specifically, publications, if possible.

We also cant compare the competitiveness of radiology to dermatology in current time.

 

[username456789]

To me, location matters more and I'd love to go to U Miami derm residency and get a apartment by the beach.

Unfortunately for you, Miami is a top program.

 

[tellmemore2020]

It seems that you're still pre-med, and if I am right and you have yet to start medical school, I would just like to warn you that you don't know how you will do. It's kind of strange to watch the "definitely interested in neurosurgery" types during freshman year fall to have trouble breaking the into the top half of the class.

 

[qw098]

you're a premed.

most people gunning for derm before med school find themselves in fam med and those gunning for fam med before med school find themselves in derm.

 

[PodasaurusRex]

Still remember the time in UGrad when the pre-med club took a visit to an adjacent med program. Mix of freshman through seniors. When the dean asked the freshman what they want to do all 7 of them said "derm " and he immediately laughed out loud. When the dean asked the seniors we all gave the appropriate answer of,"No way to really know until I get accepted to a med school and do rotations." A lot of time to grow until you figure out what's going to be a realistic specialty to pursue if any.

 

[Wailea]

Do everything you can (including research!)

 

[Favoritefarm]

Short answer is probably yes particularly if you want a desired location