Skin of color education in dermatology residency programs: does residency training reflect the changing demographics of the United States?

Abstract

It is projected that by the year 2050, close to 50% of the US population will comprise people with skin of color. We sought to assess whether future dermatologists will be prepared to treat patients with skin of color. An e-mail with a link to a brief 9-question survey was sent to 109 program directors and chief residents. A total of 41 (37.6%) program directors and 63 (50.0%) chief residents completed the online survey. In all, 14.3% (P<.001) of chief residents and 14.6% (P<.001) of program directors recognized an expert at their institutions who conducted a skin of color clinic. In all, 25.4% (P<.001) of chief residents and 19.5% (P<.001) of program directors reported having lectures on skin of color from an acknowledged expert. In all, 30.2% (P<.001) of chief residents and 12.2% (P<.001) of program directors reported a specific rotation in which residents gained specific experience in treating patients with skin of color. In all, 52.4% (P=.70) of chief residents and 65.9% (P<.02) of program directors reported to have either lectures or didactic sessions focusing on diseases in skin of color incorporated into their curriculums. In all, 84.1% (P<.001) of chief residents and 90.2% (P<.001) of program directors reported having training programs in which residents gained experience treating patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. In all, 100% (P<.001) of both chief residents and program directors reported having training programs in which residents gained experience treating patients with keloids and melasma. The limitations of this study included recall bias, an incomplete response rate, unsure respondents, and questions that may not have applied to certain programs. The results indicate a need for increased exposure, educational sessions, and overall training in diseases pertaining to skin of color in US dermatology residencies.