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The highly competitive nature of the dermatology match requires applicants to undertake a variety of measures in the hopes of securing a residency position. Among the opportunities available to applicants is the chance to participate in away or “audition” rotations during their final year of undergraduate medical education. Away rotations are now performed by a majority of medical students applying into dermatology, but littleresearch has been done to describe the nature of this opportunity for interested applicants. An analysis of all dermatology electives offered in the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS) database wasperformed. Results indicate that students have the option to pursue electives in a variety of subjects offered by 100 sponsoring institutions spread across a wide geographic distribution. Although manyopportunities exist, this analysis sheds light on several areas for improving the quality of this experience for interested applicants, including providing more electives in advanced subject matter, permitting more flexibility in scheduling, and promoting wider participation in VSAS.

The article focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of actinic prurigo, an idiopathic photodermatosis triggered by UV exposure, characterized by pruritic papules and plaques primarily affecting sun-exposed areas of the skin, with associated ocular manifestations and a strong genetic component and treatment options including photo protection, topical corticosteroids and potential use of immunomodulatory agents.

Background: Skin of color clinics (SOCCs) are dermatology clinics that provide specialized care for patients with melanated skin. Little is known about patient perceptions and attitudes toward these clinics., Objective: We sought to perform a survey study to assess the opinions of patients of color previously seen in our dermatology department toward SOCC., Methods: A 14-question survey was sent by email to patients of color seen at our institution between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021., Results: Out of 264 participants who completed the survey, 176 (66.7%) indicated they would prefer to be seen in a SOCC and 88 (33.3%) preferred to be seen in a general dermatology clinic (GDC). Clinic choice varied significantly by ethnicity, with Black/African American participants being the most likely to prefer SOCC over GDC than other races/ethnicities. Those interested in SOCC were primarily motivated by a search for expertise in the skin of color (SOC) and did not have a preference for the skin color of the SOCC dermatologist. Those interested in GDC were happy with their current care., Limitations: This study was limited by the single-center design and sample bias., Conclusion: Our results overall provide positive patient feedback for the creation of SOCCs as centers for expertise in SOC. The preference for SOCC varied by race/ethnicity, highlighting that clinic choice is best left to the patient., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Women’s Dermatologic Society.)