Academic Health Sciences Library Develops Novel Online Teaching and Learning Resource for Dermatology

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dermatology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Primary care providers and medical students often lack sufficient dermatology training.
• Traditional dermatology education historically underrepresents skin of color, leading to disparities in care.
• Delayed diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous conditions negatively impact patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address educational gaps in dermatology for primary care providers and medical students.
• To develop a comprehensive dermatology educational resource that includes diverse skin tones.
• To improve the diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic conditions, particularly in underserved populations.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Utah Dermatology Education Resources & Modules (UtahDERM) platform.
• UtahDERM features a custom slide-viewer with clinical images, diagnoses, and characteristics.
• Inclusion of a quick reference tool for core dermatology diagnoses.

Main Results:

• UtahDERM provides accessible, high-quality dermatologic educational content.
• The platform aims to bridge the knowledge gap in dermatology for healthcare professionals.
• Enhanced educational resources can lead to earlier diagnosis and more equitable treatment.

Conclusions:

• UtahDERM is a valuable tool for improving dermatology education.
• Addressing educational deficits is crucial for reducing health disparities in cutaneous medicine.
• Accessible and inclusive educational resources are essential for advancing patient care in dermatology.