Learning dermatology in medical school: analysis of dermatology topics tested in popular question banks

Given the lack of formal dermatology education in medical schools, dermatology principles covered in board exam preparatory resources remain the only standardized concepts that all medical students across the USA universally learn. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the dermatology topics represented in UWorld and AMBOSS Step 1 and Step 2CK question banks. Our study found that 49% of the 655 questions on dermatology assessed the top 10 most prevalent skin diseases encountered in clinical practice with a variety of rare conditions also tested. Step 2CK question banks had a higher proportion of questions that assessed management of dermatological conditions. Furthermore, there was a large variability in the proportion of questions that included images of the condition. This study highlights the need and opportunity for standardization of dermatology teaching in medical school curricula to optimally prepare graduating physicians for future practice.