4th Year Medical Student Electives in Dermatology
Welcome to your rotation in dermatology! We are glad you have the opportunity to spend some time on our service and trust that the experience will be both enjoyable and educational. Please review this information carefully before starting your rotation.
INFORMATION
The academic offices of the Department of Dermatology are based at 609 Albany St.
The Dermatology clinics are on the 9th floor of the Doctors Office Building.
The Elective Director is Dr. Demierre
Educational/rotation coordinator is Daniella Adrien (dadrien@bu.edu. 617-638-5523).
Directions to our offices and lots of other useful info can be found on our website:
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/derm/ (our website should have all of the pertinent information for medical students).
On your first day, please see Daniella Adrien at 8:30AM. You’ll receive an up-to-date schedule of clinics and didactic sessions when you arrive. In general, the workday starts at 8:30AM, though there are important teaching conferences that may occur at an earlier time on some days. Clinics and/or Consultations generally end by 5:30PM. Didactic sessions take place on Mondays after clinics and on Wednesday morning. Our monthly Grand Rounds takes place on the first Wednesday morning of the month. You are expected to attend all teaching conferences occurring on days when you are here (exception: dermatopathology conference).
Please let Daniella know of in advance any dates that you anticipate being away from the rotation.
WHO WE ARE
See the website for a who’s-who of individual faculty and residents. Our group is comprised of attending physicians, dermatology residents, international trainees, and one dermatology nurse practitioner. Many of our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Boston University is a center of excellence in basic cutaneous biology research, skin oncology, wound healing, psoriasis, connective tissue disease, photomedicine, hair disorders, dermatologic surgery/oncology, dermatopathology and dermatology education.
THE ROTATION
Dermatology is an ambulatory rotation integrated with a vibrant inpatient consultation. Generally, there are two to three 4th year medical students and one internal medicine or family medicine resident on rotation each month. We encourage you to work with as many different attendings and residents as you can. You should spend the majority of your time in general dermatology and medical specialty clinics, but feel free to request exposure to our dermatologic surgeons to get a more in depth feel for the procedural aspects of dermatology.
OUR CLINICS
The clinics take place at the Doctors Office Building on the 9th floor. You’re welcome in all clinics—we don’t have a private practice or private patients here. The clinics tend to be busy and offer a robust learning environment. Please be sensitive to the pace of the clinic: there will be days when things are very busy and your questions and teaching may have to wait until after clinic is over. In general, though, we teach as we go. Please don’t offer the patient diagnostic opinions or advice and counseling on dermatologic matters without first reviewing with the dermatologist.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
(b.) PATIENT CARE, MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING, SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE
At the conclusion of your rotation in dermatology, you should:
1. Be able to recognize and correctly diagnose typical examples of common skin diseases such as warts, acne, psoriasis, eczematous dermatitis, malignant melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, keratoses, melanocytic nevi, drug hypersensitivity reactions, common bacterial, fungal and viral skin infections.
2. Demonstrate understanding of basic epidemiology of malignant melanoma, melanocytic nevi and non melanoma skin cancer.
3. Demonstrate ability to obtain a dermatologic history, perform physical examination of the skin and appendages, and formulate a plan for diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
4. Demonstrate basic knowledge of medications commonly used for treatment of skin disease, particularly corticosteroids, retinoids, antibiotics, and topical agents such as emollients and drying agents.
5. Demonstrate familiarity with common diagnostic procedures used in dermatology, including shave and punch skin biopsy, potassium hydroxide mounts for fungi, and dermatoscopy.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of Mohs micrographic surgery
7. Demonstrate familiarity with important new or evolving issues in dermatology and how research and the medical literature are being used to develop evidence-based best practices and guidelines for management of skin disease.
8. Be able to identify clinical situations where a dermatologist should be consulted and other situations which you could handle yourself.
Educational Resources
Bedside teaching by dermatologist preceptors
Clinical and basic science conferences
Weekly teaching conference for rotators
Web Based Dermatology Curriculum for Medical Students
Dermatology
Resident Physicians
Journal club
Grand Rounds
Department of Dermatology Library (textbooks, atlases, journal collection)
Assessment Tools
Daily faculty observation of clinical care activities
Faculty observation of participation in student conferences
End-of-rotation presentation
End of elective assessment: Online quiz of Dermatology Curriculum Website
(b.) INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, PROFESSIONALISM We expect that rotating students will: 1. Interact with patients, their families, our office staff and other health professionals in a manner that is culturally sensitive and appropriate to the resident’s dual role as healthcare provider and student of dermatology. 2. Communicate with patients, their families, our office staff and other healthcare providers in an effective fashion in spoken and written English. Handwriting and signatures must be legible. 3. Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and dress and deportment appropriate to a physician. 4. Wear neat, clean clothing, a white coat and name badge when seeing patients.
