The teaching of dermatology in veterinary education in North America (2002)

The purpose of this study was to collect and report the current quantity and content of dermatology taught in the nonclinical and clinical curricula of North American veterinary colleges. This is the first published record of this information and was gathered from 29/30 colleges. Half of the respondents of the questionnaire thought that veterinary students currently receive sufficient didactic dermatology course work. A separate didactic dermatology course is required at 16/29 colleges, which provides a mean of 31.31 instructional units. Twenty-four of 29 veterinary colleges offer a separate clinical dermatology rotation. Thirteen schools report that students who desire a clinical rotation through dermatology usually attain it. However, it is only required for graduation in seven colleges. This report serves as a tool for veterinary schools assessing their existing curriculum and allows them to compare the education they provide in this specialty with that of other colleges.