Medical school dermatology education: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dermatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dermatological diseases significantly impact patient quality of life, yet access to care is often limited.
• Early, enhanced medical school training in dermatology is crucial for equipping future physicians.
• This review addresses the need for optimized dermatology education to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore dermatology education within medical school curricula.
• To identify factors that optimize the preparation of future physicians for dermatological care.
• To provide insights for adapting teaching methods based on local needs and context.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of relevant literature was conducted.
• Searches utilized major online databases including Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus.
• The Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework guided the review, incorporating quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Main Results:

• 376 articles were included from an initial 1490, with most originating from the USA, UK, Germany, and Canada.
• Key themes identified were teaching content, delivery methods, and assessment strategies.
• Essential learning objectives included skin cancer recognition and fostering diversity and cultural competence.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing dermatology education requires a tailored approach considering teaching content, delivery, and assessment.
• Factors such as community health needs, medical school resources, and student capabilities influence the educational ecosystem.
• Adapting dermatology training to local contexts is vital for preparing physicians to address the burden of skin disease.