Perceptions of dermatology and dermatologists by residency program directors of other medical specialties

More data are needed to characterize the perceptions of dermatology by nondermatologist physicians in order to address how current perceptions may be improved. Residency program directors of 21 medical specialties were contacted by e-mail and directed to a survey created with Research Electronic Data Capture software. Data from survey responses were collated and analyzed. A total of 80 residency program directors completed the survey. Physicians who worked more frequently with dermatologists were more likely to describe dermatologists positively. Most physicians believed dermatologists manage skin conditions, but fewer knew that they also manage hair, nail, or mucosal conditions. Cross-specialty collaboration between nondermatologists and dermatologists is associated with positive perceptions of dermatology. Further collaboration could provide the opportunity to educate physicians regarding the conditions treated by dermatologists and how their expertise may benefit patient care.