Digital technology enhances dermatology teaching in a family medicine residency

Exposure of family medicine residents to dermatology is inconsistent. We encourage residents to record skin lesions using digital photographs, which are made into posters displaying clinical information.

Residents submit diagnoses for each poster, and correct diagnoses are then posted. A semiannual 10-case quiz compares the scores of participating residents with nonparticipants.

On the first three semiannual quizzes, participants and nonparticipants have scored, respectively, 68% and 48%, 73% and 55%, and 77% and 65%.

Residents' ability to make dermatologic diagnoses improved from participation in an inexpensive, easily administered program using digitally displayed skin problems.