Contact Dermatitis and Patch Testing Education: A Work Group Report From the Allergic Skin Diseases Committee of the AAAAI.

Abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis is effectively diagnosed and treated through the identification of causative allergens via patch testing (PT). Selection of allergens, along with the application and interpretation of PT results, necessitates specialized education and training. Our objective was to investigate the extent to which contact dermatitis (CD) education and PT training are components of the curriculum in Allergy and Immunology (A/I) training programs in the United States and to assess where knowledge gaps may exist. A voluntary 16-item survey was sent to program and associate program directors in A/I associated with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) in 2021. A total of 23 out of 84 (27%) A/I training programs responded. Of the responding programs, 22% did not have a faculty member who performs PT and 25% do not have fellows perform PT. However, programs that performed more patch tests tended to use custom and expanded series, used the patient's personal products, and provided patients with a personal avoidance plan (loadings > 0.65). With respect to scholarly activity, 30% of programs had published an article on CD in the last 3 years. In conclusion, the key findings of our survey include that programs that perform PT are more likely to provide expanded and customized panels, provide patients with an individualized avoidance plan, and present scholarly activity on the topic. Given the importance of CD in allergy practices, our results indicate that more instruction in this topic is needed in A/I fellowship programs.