Impact of COVID-19 on Dermatology Residency

Abstract

COVID-19 has created challenges across medicine, including in medical education, with deeply rooted impacts in the dermatology residency experience. Its effects are both acute and chronic, including: shifts to virtual education and conferences, skewed clinical experiences, negatively impacted wellness, and uncertainty in the future. As educators and mentors, it is important to recognize and address these issues so that we may remain transparent, adaptable, and engaged as we continue to build a better tomorrow for our resident trainees.

Disaster Preparedness in Dermatology Residency Programs

“…10 Continued Didactic Education-The use of online learning and conference calls for continuing the dermatology curriculum is an efficient means to maintaining resident education when meeting in person poses risks to residents. 15 of microscopy images, clinical photographs, or other instructional materials allow for continued instruction on resident examination, histopathology, and diagnostic skills.…”

“…7 If in-person appointments are limited or impossible, telemedicine capabilities may still allow residents to meet program requirements. 7,10,15 However, reduced patient volume due to decreased elective visits or procedures may complicate the fulfillment of clinical requirements, which may need to be adjusted in the wake of a disaster. 7 Use of Immunosuppressive Therapies-Residency programs should address the risks of prescribing immunosuppressive therapies (eg, biologics) during an infectious threat with their residents and encourage trainees to counsel patients on the importance of preventative measures to reduce risks for severe infection.…”

Dermatology Residency Applicant Self-Reported Stressors and Coping Mechanisms by Sex, Race, and Geographic Region during the 2020–2021 Application Cycle

“…The option of virtual rotations was encouraged by the Association of Professors of Dermatology 11 ; however, this opportunity could not be provided by all of the programs. For many trainees, there is the added stress of adjusting to a new institution or city which the applicant had never visited during the interview season 10 …”

“…Unique stressors that have been previously reported for dermatology learners during the COVID-19 pandemic included caring for patients infected with COVID-19, adaptation to telemedicine, decrease in dermatology case volumes, limited in-person away rotations, virtual interviews, moving cities or institutions, and social distancing/isolation. 10 In spring 2020, the Association of Professors of Dermatology published two statements 10,11 on behalf of program directors that included the recommendation to limit in-person away rotations, except for those students without home programs available, and to conduct all interviews virtually. 11 The option of virtual rotations was encouraged by the Association of Professors of Dermatology 11 ; however, this opportunity could not be provided by all of the programs.…”

“…For many trainees, there is the added stress of adjusting to a new institution or city which the applicant had never visited during the interview season. 10 The aim of our study was to identify self-reported stressors and coping mechanisms during the 2020-2021 applicant cycle for dermatology residency applicants, occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a dedicated supplemental application. Self-reported stressors were additionally compared by sex, race, and geographic region.…”