Dermatology – willpeachMD

Dermatology: Why Is It So Competitive?

Will — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:18:46 +0000

Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties in medicine. With its expansive scope, dermatologists are able to treat a wide variety of medical conditions and diseases. So what makes this specialty so coveted?

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons why dermatology is so competitive and what sets it apart from other medical specialties.

Why is Dermatology So Competitive?

The field of dermatology is highly competitive for several reasons. First, it is a very desirable specialty. Dermatologists enjoy a high level of job satisfaction and earn a good salary. Secondly, the work hours are generally very flexible, allowing for a good work-life balance.

Many qualified applicants compete for relatively few residency spots. Furthermore, the training program for dermatologists is very long and grueling. It typically takes at least eight years to complete residency and fellowship training.

During this time, residents often work long hours and make little money. Consequently, only the most dedicated and passionate individuals make it through the training process. For these reasons, dermatology is one of the most competitive medical fields.

Why Dermatology Residency Is So Competitive

To practice dermatology, physicians must complete four years of medical school and a three-year residency program. Less than 10% of all medical students will become dermatologists.

The competition for residency positions is even more intense, with only less than 700 slots available each year. As a result, becoming a dermatologist requires a significant investment of time and energy. However, the rewards can be well worth the effort for those passionate about skincare.

Related: 5 Best Dermatology Residency Programs (Key Info & Data)

Statistics on the Dermatology Match

The data for the 2020 dermatology match made some interesting readings. A total of 692 applicants competed for 538 positions, meaning that there were 1.29 applicants per spot.

Of those 692 applicants, 388 were U.S. seniors who did not match into their desired residency program. While the dermatology match is notoriously competitive, these statistics show that it is possible to secure a position if you are willing to put in the work.

With so many qualified applicants vying for spots, residency programs have their pick of the best and brightest.

Why is Dermatology So Hard?

There are several reasons for this, but the most significant one is the shortage of dermatologists.

A cap on medical residency training, increased demand for new treatments, and awareness of skin diseases all contribute to the shortage. This means that more people are vying for a limited number of spots in dermatology residencies.

The competition is fierce, and only the most dedicated and talented individuals can get in. But once they’re in, they can help people with a wide range of skin conditions, from the mundane to the life-threatening.

What Fellowships Can One Pursue After Completing a Dermatological Residency?

There are several different fellowships that dermatologists can pursue after completing their residency. These include fellowship programs in:

Clinical & Laboratory Dermatological Immunology
Pediatric Dermatology
Dermatopathology
Micrographic Surgery And Dermatologic Oncology
Dermatological Immunology

The Average Salary for a Dermatologist

One of the medical specialties with the highest salaries in the U.S. is dermatology. If one does not pursue subspecialty training, which can significantly alter the compensation, the average salary after graduating from a dermatology residency is $411,000.

Physician income is heavily influenced by location, academic versus private practice, and other factors.

For example, dermatologists who work in major metropolitan areas generally earn more than those who practice in smaller towns or rural areas. Additionally, dermatologists who work in private practice often earn more than those who work for a hospital or other type of institution.

Why Do Dermatologists Make So Much?

There are many reasons why these doctors tend to earn high salaries…

Highly Specialized

It is a highly specialized field of medicine. To become a dermatologist, one must complete a rigorous school system. This means dermatologists have a lot of education and training, making them well-qualified to earn high salaries.

High Demand

There is a high demand for dermatologists. Due to the increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures and the aging population, more and more people are seeking out the services of these doctors.

Insurance Reimbursement

Insurance reimbursement rates for dermatologists are among the highest of all medical specialists.

Is Dermatology in High Demand?

As the largest organ in the human body, it’s no surprise that skin conditions are some of the most common medical problems.

From acne to psoriasis, dermatologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating these conditions. As a result, demand for dermatologists is rising. In addition to treating existing skin conditions, dermatologists are increasingly focused on prevention.

The rising rate of skin cancer and increasing public awareness and concern about this issue are likely to add to demand in the field. The need for these doctors is expected to grow as more people seek out dermatologists for treatment and prevention.

Is there a Shortage of Dermatologists?

According to the latest projections, the United States is facing a shortage of dermatologists in the coming years.

This shortfall is due to several factors, including an aging population and an increase in skin conditions. As the population ages, there is a greater need for medical services, and dermatologists are often called upon to treat conditions.

At the same time, conditions like acne and psoriasis are becoming more common, especially among young people.

What is a Dermatology Emergency?

Dermatologists are often considered to have one of the most desirable medical jobs. They often have flexible hours, high salaries, and low rates of on-the-job injuries. However, dermatologists also face unique challenges that can make the job stressful.

For one thing, they must deal with the constant fear of contracting a disease from their patients. In addition, they often have to work long hours to see all of their patients.

Dermatologists must be proficient in a wide range of medical procedures, as they often have to perform surgery on patients with skin cancer. While dermatologists may enjoy many perks, the job can also be stressful.

Sources

https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/how-competitive-is-a-dermatology-residency/
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/dermatologist/job-market/
https://www.aad.org

Will

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more.

willpeachmd.com

The 9 Best Free Dermatology Learning Websites

Julian Farret — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:06:29 +0000

If you haven’t guessed it by now, medical education is sort of our thing here on willpeachmd.com! Building on our fantastic lists of the best anatomy and radiology websites to learn from, it’s time to cover dermatology.

Considering the general public’s general thirst for knowledge in the area, we hope this can be a useful roundup.

So, without further ado, here’s our rundown of our favorite (and what we consider “best”) learning websites on the subject.

P.S. we also have another great article on the best dermatology YouTube channels (if videos are more your thing!)…

1 – Geeky Medics Collection of Dermatology Revision Notes

Geeky Medics have tons of learning material. It is well-written, comprehensive, and excellently formatted.

The content is accessible and written by physicians or medical students, reviewed by physicians.

You can find tutorials about derm-specific clinical examinations, procedures, communication, interpretation, medicine, surgery, anatomy, and more. Besides all that, there are a ton of case studies, quizzes, and even a good app if you want to follow along on your smartphone.

Their dermatology section is hot on the following topics:

Chickenpox (VZV)
Pityriasis Rosea
Acne vulgaris
Scabies
Steven-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Erythema Multiforme
Molluscum contagiosum
Psoriasis
Non-blanching rashes
Dermatological emergencies

And many more.

Also, their website is constantly being updated, so definitely bookmark it!

2 – MedlinePlus – Skin Conditions

MedlinePlus is a great online health information resource for patients, families, and friends.

It’s an initiative of the National Library of Medicine (NLM): the world’s most extensive medical library and part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

They aim to present high-quality, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted, easy to understand, and free of advertising.

MedlinePlus maintains a webpage dedicated to skin conditions. It is a hub for other sites with rich content, covering introductory topics and the most up-to-date research articles.

The website is a huge trove of good free information, including the following topics:

Diagnosis and Tests
Prevention and Risk Factors
Treatments and Therapies
Genetics
Videos and Tutorials
Statistics and Research
Clinical Trials
Journal Articles
Children
Teenagers
Women
Patient Handouts

A great starting point on your journey to learning dermatology!

3 – DermWeb

DermWeb is a leading destination for dermatology links and resources on the internet.

There are several areas of interest for 1) practicing dermatologists, 2) dermatology students, and 3) the public.

It is not a modern, good-looking, and organized site, but it holds a ton of useful information.

DermWeb is maintained by the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at the University of British Columbia. They aim to provide quality dermatology links and resources to the professional community and the public.

Internal content and resources were written by and edited by doctors under Dr. Harvey Lui, MD, FRCPC, Head of the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science. He has acted as lead editor for all site content.

They constantly add links and resources to the site and welcome submissions for consideration.

The site content is basically divided into four groups:

Dermatology Links (Academic, Organizations and Societies, and Journals & Publications)
Dermatology Resources (Internal Resources and External Resources)
Common Skin Problems
Photo Atlases

You can also find information for the general public and for students under the umbrella of UBC Dermatology.

EDITOR NOTE: I used this for my med school’s dermatology shelf exams. The formatting is useful and its comprehensive enough to help meet the top grades in most exams! – Will

4 – DermIS – Dermatology Information System

DermIS is the largest dermatology information service available on the internet. It’s born from cooperation between the Department of Clinical Social Medicine (University of Heidelberg) and the Department of Dermatology (University of Erlangen).

It offers image atlases (DOIA and PeDOIA) with diagnoses and differential diagnoses, case reports, and additional information on almost all skin diseases.

They also have skin diseases illustrated by photographic images (e.g., rosacea and eczema), descriptions, therapeutic measures, and skincare suggestions.

Since hundreds of pieces cover many topics, it’s best used as a reference guide than as a primary source of learning material.

Use this after covering the basics and looking for more in-depth information on particular areas!

5 – Dermatology Atlas – Loyola University Dermatology Medical Education Website

Loyola University Dermatology Atlas has tons of good information.

It is edited by Jeffrey L. Melton, MD, and has an alphabetized index with pics of many skin conditions.

The website hasn’t been updated for a while. But even so, you can find rich stuff in there.

6 – Merk Manual Dermatological Disorders

Merk Manual was first published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists. Since then, it’s grown in size and scope, evolving into one of the most used medical resources for professionals and consumers.

The manual expands the reach and depth of its offerings to reflect its mission: provide the best medical information to a broad cross-section of users. It includes medical professionals and students, veterinarians and veterinary students, and consumers.

The manual provides high-quality information and covers derm topics like the following:

Approach to the Dermatologic Patient
Principles of Topical Dermatologic Therapy
Acne and Related Disorders
Bacterial Skin Infections
Benign Skin Tumors, Growths, and Vascular Lesions
Bullous Diseases
Cancers of the Skin
Cornification Disorders
Dermatitis
Fungal Skin Infections
Hair Disorders
Hypersensitivity and Inflammatory Skin Disorders
Nail Disorders
Parasitic Skin Infections
Pigmentation Disorders
Pressure Injury
Psoriasis and Scaling Diseases
Reactions to Sunlight
Sweating Disorders
Viral Skin Diseases

Merk Manual is an excellent source of good information for both beginners and professionals.

7 – JAMA Dermatology

The JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) is a peer-reviewed medical journal. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of biomedicine.

JAMA Dermatology has tons of cutting-edge research. On the negative side, it’s not free, and it is actually quite expensive to subscribe. But if you are indeed a student, you might have free access through your university.

It is undoubtedly pure gold if you are professional and need high-quality info though!

8 – Derm.Talk

Derm.Talk is a blog run by Dr. Jenny Liu, a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor.

It is not specifically educational, but the author writes about medicine and dermatology. It might be a good source of information if you need a general approach.

As a personal blog, she writes about many subjects. But there are specific topics about dermatology and residency, where you can find good information.

9 – RCGP’s Dermatology Library

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the UK body responsible for setting the standards for general practice education, training, revalidation, and the MRCGP examination.

They have an eLearning section with excellent materials, developed by an experienced eLearning team, and a rich Dermatology Library.

This library provides educational material and guidelines on dermatology that are relevant to primary healthcare professionals.

It brings together national guidance, resources produced and accredited by the RCGP, and resources from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS).

The library is divided into these sections:

1) overview
2) infection and infestation
3) genetic and systemic disorders
4) inflammatory conditions
5) specific lesions
6) urticaria and blistering

These resources are great for those who wish to develop a more specialized interest in dermatology.

They have a lot of free material, but a member must pay for some resources!

Julian Farret

Writer | Lawyer | PhD Student at @DerechoUCA and @UFPel
I spend most of my time washing dishes, changing diapers, playing doll/ball/house/doctor/cooking with my daughter, and making my son sleep. I write and read about education, philosophy, law, religion, finance, and real estate when there is some time left. And I usually don’t sleep!

julienfarret.com

6 Best Dermatology YouTube Channels (Learn About Your Skin!)

Sumran Imtiaz — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 10:03:07 +0000

Social media platforms like YouTube are fast becoming the go-to medium for following experts in different fields and educating yourself in a fun and engaging way.

When it comes to dermatologists, YouTube has some awesome channels to follow to learn more about the specialty.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 6 of the best dermatology-related YouTube channels out there that not only provide amazing tips on how best to take care of your skin, nails, and hair, but also teach you about the important medical science behind it all too!

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

Feel like learning about dermatology from websites or free flashcards instead, follow the links!

Best Dermatologists on YouTube

Finding the best dermatology-related channels on the platform can be tricky if you don’t know exactly what to look for. Our recommendations look only at board-certified or qualified skin-care experts, so you can better trust the value and authoritativeness of the information provided.

Some of these names might be familiar to you, some of them may be new. If you’re just starting out on your journey to learn more about the field, these are the best places to get started leveling up your knowledge without spending a single cent.

1. Doctorly

Subscribers: 1M
Upload schedule: Approx. 2-3 days
Started: 2020

The Doctorly YouTube channel follows Campbell University Dermatology Residents Dr. Muneeb Shah and Dr. Luke Maxfield, on their mission to educate the public on everything skincare.

Doctorly is something of a leading platform in the dermatology media space. Their rapidly growing Tiktok account (10 million followers and growing) and their active Instagram, are just two other places you can find this social-savvy pair.

Their channel is a mix of shorts and full-length vids that usually involve the two co-hosts discussing popular themes and topics in the dermatology world, debunking some of the pseudoscience out there, and road-testing popular skincare products.

Their most-watched video to date is “Doctor Reacts to Satisfying Pore Strips” (77M views), where Dr. Shah goes deep on the negative aspects of pore strips and instead offers medically-backed alternatives.

Topics covered on Doctorly:

Skincare tips in-line with current trending ingredients (e.g. witch hazel)
Product reviews
Live Q and A’s
Skincare management
Treatment regimes
USMLE/COMLEX explainers (tutorials for med students)

2. Dr. Dray

Subscribers: 1.39M
Upload schedule: Approx. daily
Started: 2016

Dr. Dray (Andrea Suarez) is a Board Certified Dermatologist based in Houston, TX. She is a skincare expert that covers everything from vaping to the benefits of licorice serum. Her channel is an absolute treasure trove of derm-related info!

Over the course of her YT journey, Dr. Dray has amassed 204M views and well over a million subscribers who love her simplistic explanations breaking down some of the more complicated physiological areas of the specialty.

What’s cool about Dr. Dray is her unfiltered and genuine style when giving product feedback. Her review of “Selfless” by Hyram is a case in point – this amassed over 600K views!

Despite her busy upload schedule, she is also very active in the comments section of her vids and often replies to many of her viewers, doing her best to offer her expertise and answer questions.

Topics covered on Dr Dray:

How to read ingredients from products
Trending controversial derma topics (e.g Accutane)
Cosmetic procedure explainers/advice (e.g. laser hair removal and electrolysis)
Personal vlogs (e.g. diet/lifestyle tips)
Product reviews (Top 10 lists/popular consumer-focused brands like Costco, Target, TJ MAXX, etc.)
Answering common skincare questions

3. Dr. Shereene Idriss

Subscribers: 254K
Upload schedule: Approx. 4-5 days
Started: 2011

Dr. Shereene Idriss is an NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist (working out of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) who delves into the world of skincare, hair, and even makeup!

Her channel started out with patients repeatedly coming to her with misinformation from social media. As a response, Dr. Idriss started making short videos on Instagram to help clear up some of these myths, and this eventually lead to her popular YouTube channel; Pillow Talk Derm.

In addition to her great content, Dr. Idriss’ website lists all the product recommendations made in her videos, detailing things like her “Top Picks for Exfoliating Acids” and “Top Summer Moisturizers” – super handy!

Her reaction video discussing Gwyneth Paltrow’s controversial skincare routine (614K views) is one of her most popular vids and showcases her direct but inoffensive approach when it comes to dispelling celebrity-touted myths.

What’s also great about Dr. Idriss is that she shares a lot of her personal stories when educating viewers. After suffering from COVID in 2020, for example, she talked about her experiences with hair loss and has since uploaded scientifically-backed hair care routines to help others.

One small criticism is that she recommends products on the expensive side, but as far as free information goes there’s no hard sales push or any assertion that you absolutely must go out and buy a specific item!

Dr. Idriss is also careful to only do brand collaborations with things she personally uses and recommends to patients. Her clinical focus is on acne, aging, botox and fillers, eczema, and more.

Topics covered by Shereene Idriss:

Skincare routines for different skin types
“Pillow Talk Derm Series”: educating viewers on different derm conditions (e.g, keratosis pilaris)
Debunking skincare myths
Honest reactions to celebrity routines and their product recommendations

4. The Budget Dermatologist

Subscribers: 216K
Upload schedule: Approx. once a week
Started: 2020

The Budget Dermatologist is run by Dr. Maren Locke, a University of Florida board-certified dermatologist and founder of Carlyle Dermatology.

Dr. Locke helps many skin cancer patients using her expertise in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology.

As you can guess from the name, her channel is heavily centered on providing affordable skincare tips and product recommendations.

Her “4 Pillars of Skincare Routine” is a great place to start for newcomers and is popular for being super concise and easy to follow. It includes tips like building collagen, UV protection, and maintaining skin barrier health.

What’s also worth a watch is “Drugstore Anti-aging Skincare Routine” (1.19M views). Here Dr. Locke actually walks her viewers around a Florida drugstore, discussing the general products on sale, what works and what doesn’t.

The Budget Dermatologist is very active in her comments section and replies regularly to viewers concerning their skincare questions/complaints.

Topics covered by The Budget Dermatologist:

“Derm Reviews” of products (e.g. sunscreens and cleansers)
Drugstore product reviews
Skincare routines
Acne
Cosmetic procedures
Expert advice on various skin conditions

5. James Welsh

Subscribers: 1.35M
Upload schedule: Active
Started: 2015

James Welsh is a skincare enthusiast and former stylist based in London.

With a degree in Editorial and Advertising, he delves into how cosmetic and skincare brands market products using digital retouching and manipulation.

Viewers love the range of brands James displays on his channel. His Korean skincare videos helped introduce his audience to great new brands that can help transform skin. If you want a diverse product selection and discussion, combined with unfiltered reviews, this channel is perfect!

If you are interested in how brands and influencers use filters to lie to the public, this channel goes deep on that. James’ most popular video, “Instagram vs Reality- Beauty Guru Influencer” (973K views) cuts through a lot of the noise.

He has collaborated with several Youtubers in the past like Mehdi the Jipdori and James Welsh, bringing a more fun aspect to his channel.

Full disclosure on whether products are sponsored or personally paid for is always given. It’s a simple thing but often hidden by many influencers to not appear biased to their audience.

Topics covered by James Welsh:

Ranking celebrity/Youtuber skincare advice
Viral Tiktok trials
Skincare Routines
“The Best of Skincare” (highlighting top products from various brands)
Solving common skincare problems (e.g. oily skin and dark circles)

6. Dr. Sam Bunting

Subscribers: 183K
Upload schedule: Approx. weekly
Started: 2007

Dr. Sam Bunting is the go-to dermatologist for top celebrities in the UK. Working out of Harley Street Clinic, and trained under the Royal College of Physicians (with a medical degree from Cambridge University), she is a seasoned professional in her field.

What’s unique about Dr. Sam Bunting is her intriguing customer feedback system; a closed Facebook group with 22K members who review her formulations and products before going to market.

Despite being one of the older Youtube veterans on this list, her channel is still posting regularly. Her most viewed video to date is “5 Things This Dermatologist Would NEVER Do” (652.1K views), a video that dispels common advice (arguing against oils, exfoliation, etc.) that most people assume to be useful.

Sticking to the facts instead of trends is the formula behind Dr. Sam Bunting’s YouTube longevity.

Her passionate nature and genuine appreciation of followers (she also runs giveaways) make her a great person to follow to help stay informed about what works (and what doesn’t) in the world of dermatology and cosmetics.

Topics covered by Dr. Sam Bunting:

Dr. Sam’s Beauty Hacks
Acne advice
Pore Series
Ingredient explainers (e.g. azelaic acid and retinoids)
Product recommendations

Final Thoughts

Dermatology channels on YouTube are diverse in their content while also being educational.

Maybe videos can’t replace good old-fashioned textbooks but, by combining innovation and creativity with the goal of educating the public, they definitely can present crucial derm-related info in an accessible and easy-to-understand way.

The videos above are the perfect place to start leveling up your skincare/derm knowledge.

Sumran Imtiaz

Hey guys, I’m Sumran. I’m a British 5th-year international medical student at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria. I transitioned straight from completing my A-Levels into university. Currently, I have interests in Psychiatry and Gastroenterology. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading crime novels and visiting art exhibitions.

5 Best Dermatology Anki Decks (Free Dermatology Flashcards)

Sumran Imtiaz — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:36:39 +0000

Dermatology is a very dynamic subject. To master it successfully, you will require good knowledge of the basics; especially skin anatomy and pathology.

We’ll delve into some of the best premade Anki decks on Dermatology that will help you do exactly that.

The Best Dermatology Anki Decks

The 5 decks we’ll be looking at are:

Dolphin Dermatology (best overall)
Vismo_djib’s Review of Dermatology Anki (most comprehensive)
Hoop’s Clinical Decks: Dermatology Deck by originalhoopsta (best for basics)
Derm Deck (AAD) by calm_samurai95 (best for diagnostics)
AVSM by AVSM_ankiboi (best for rapid review)

Each of these, although they differ in size and depth, will help in your efforts to memorize dermatology essentials.

And all are free and easily downloadable. Just install the Anki desktop app to get started and enjoy the process!

Dolphin Dermatology

Deck Type:	Dermatology Clinical Deck
Cards:	13000
Card Format:	Basic
Year of Upload:	2021
Required Plugins:	N/A
Download Size:	1.2 Gb
Download Link:	Dolphin Dermatology Anki

Dolphin Dermatology is the newest (and best) pre-made Anki deck out. At 13,000 cards it’s a complete beast!

Using the sources of VisualDx and DermnetNZ, this deck is best suited for existing residents or students gunning for a dermatology placement in the future.

The formatting is fantastic. One fact to a card, an image, and a simple back-to-front flashcard.

Here’s an example…

Cards are organized and tagged by subtopic.

Download Dolphin Dermatology Anki here

Vismo_djib’s Review of Dermatology Anki

Deck Type:	Dermatology Residency/Boards
Cards:	8160
Card Format:	Basic
Year of Upload:	2021
Required Plugins:	N/A
Download Size:	450 MB
Download Link:	Review of Dermatology Anki

Reddit user Vismo_djib has put together what’s possibly the most comprehensive of all Anki dermatology decks. Perfect for residents, board exams, and those on away rotations!

At 8160 total cards, this is a beast of a deck but features everything you’d ever hope to memorize in the specialty.

Frequently updated (the last update being in July 2021), it’s also a living, breathing deck, with other Redditors working and adding things to it.

The deck itself is based on the following sources:

Alikhan’s Review of Dermatology
VisualDx
Bolognia Dermatology
Weedon’s Skin Pathology
Elston’s Dermatopathology
Soyer’s Dermoscopy
Robinson’s Surgery of the Skin

Cards are categorized and tagged based on the following subtopics:

Images are high-res but you’ll have to play around with the tags to ensure you unlock and work through the relevant categories (that’s why I’d only recommend using this if already familiar with Anki).

You’ll also need to create a master deck and pull cards in/out as you see fit.

Here’s how a typical card looks…

Other helpful add-ons to use with this deck include:

Special fields: Customize import behavior (1102281552)
Card browser: List only one card per note (797076357)
Hint Hotkeys: Show hint with keystroke (1844908621)

U/vismo_djib also invites people to email any comments and suggestions when using this deck to vismo@protonmail.com.

Download Review of Dermatology Anki here

Hoop’s Clinical Anki Decks: Dermatology Deck

Deck Type:	Dermatology Basics
Cards:	1311
Card Format:	Basic
Year of Upload:	2020
Required Plugins:	N/A
Download Size:	77.9 MB
Download Link:	Hoop’s Dermatology Anki Deck

Reddit User Originalhoopsta created this deck series to help U.S. students on the wards (not Step 1 and 2).

For international medical students, however, the series still has a ton of value (covering almost everything you’ll likely need to know).

The series’ dermatology subdeck, similar to Originalhoopsta’s EKG one recommended here, serves as an excellent resource for a quick overview.

Built on top of an existing premade deck by Dermatology Geisel, Originalhoopsta went in and added 250 additional cards with explanations based on the Step 2 First Aid section on Dermatology.

The cards are basic in format (written in open-ended question and answer style); with images showing a pathology on the front and the name of the pathology on the back.

Like this…

Personally, I like the fact that the theory is split into 7 chapters and that there is a review section.

It also has a “Quick ID” segment which is broken down into categories like hair/nails or skin cancer. Useful for quickly reviewing specific subtopics in derm.

Here’s how the deck is categorized/tagged…

The Basics section consists mostly of theoretical questions to improve your general knowledge. The answers are well-explained with tables or bullet points.

The major pro of this dermatology Anki deck is that all bases are covered: background information is given, as well as any relevant etiological factors.

At 1311 cards, it is a manageable deck and can help you quickly identify diseases e.g. melanoma so that you impress on your rounds.

The fact the deck is very image-heavy is important in helping serve up visual reminders for the types of pathologies that come up on exams.

Download Hoop’s Dermatology Anki Deck here

Calm_Samurai95’s Derm Anki Deck

Deck Type:	Dermatology Basics
Cards:	439
Card Format:	Basic
Year of Upload:	2020
Required Plugins:	N/A
Download Size:	19.6 MB
Download Link:	Calm_Samurai95’s Derm Anki Deck

This deck is based on the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) basic Dermatology curriculum.

User Calm_Samurai built this deck themselves, for the following reason…

This deck was the result of the frustration I felt when trying to get a grasp of the basics of dermatology!

At only 439 cards, it provides a concise overview of important topics but is still something of a “work in progress.”

Information is split into cards which are either a case scenario or asking what the treatment or diagnosis of a particular pathology is.

Unlike other decks, it gives you history (see the image below) to help your problem solving skills and contextualize all the different aspects of a disease.

In the answer to pathologies, you’ll see it highlights the name as well as some high yield points on that topic too.

Cards are basic style; front to back.

Super useful!

Another pro is the drilling of specific terminology that examiners like to quiz you on; “e.g. firm, hyperpigmented dome-shaped papules”.

Download Calm_Samurai95’s Derm Anki Deck here

AVSM Anki Clinical Deck: Derma

Deck Type:	Broad (with dermatology section tagged)
Cards:	133
Card Format:	Basic
Year of Upload:	2021
Required Plugins:	N/A
Download Size:	531 MB
Download Link:	AVSM Anki Deck

The AVSM deck is a large deck mainly focused on internal medicine made by a Reddit user in India.

Its “Derma” section houses 133 cards that help for a quick review for University-based exams focused on a dermatology rotation.

Cards are basic in format; prompting you with one line and then expecting you to come up with the details.

Here’s how that works…

A broad variety of topics are covered; including the morphology of pathologies, diagnosis, classification, and also treatment options.

The images and tables are especially useful for helping classify dermatology-based diseases and help in recalling key information.

You’ll need to download the deck (it’s big at 531 MB) in its entirety but then use the tags to focus on dermatology.

Download AVSM’s Anki Deck here

Additional Information On Dermatology Anki Decks

Depending on what level of study you’re at, and how deep you want to go, it could be an idea to review the anatomy of the skin first before beginning any dermatology class or rotation.

Check out the following deck recommendations to get started…

Related: 7 Best Anatomy Anki Decks: Learn Anatomy Fast (2021)

Additionally, you can get through a lot of derm-related pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology via studying from the relevant cards in Anking’s latest version of Zanki.

This also includes the dermatology chapter from Pathoma which I strongly recommend students start with!

To find out more about this deck check out the following article…

Related: What Is The Best Anki Deck For Step 1?

Other Dermatology Resources

There are several other platforms besides Anki for those of you who are interested.

Depending on how far into the dermatology you wish to go, each of these resources goes into varying depth.

Good Dermatology-Related YouTube Channels

JJ Medicine

JJ Medicine has an informative playlist dedicated to Dermatology where it covers topics like psoriasis, fungal infections, and acne.

Armando Hasudungan

Armando Hasudungan also has some very beneficial videos on Dermatology which are good to help grasp the basics. He uses plenty of visual aids too!

Good Dermatology-Related Podcasts

Dermatology UK the podcast

This podcast incorporates everything from the newest research to interviews with notable doctors/professors and provides a focused look at new developments.

Dermatologically Tested

Dermatologically Tested is from the British Association of Dermatologists. It creatively tackles the world of our skin with the experts and deals with a host of topics from clinical to cosmetic.

Related: 23 Best Podcasts For Medical Students

Recommended Dermatology Textbook Resource

As a medical student myself, I relate to the struggles of spending hours reading reviews to find the most appropriate books to use which are only somewhat tailored to my curriculum.

“One shoe fits all” is certainly not applicable in this case.

I have listed a couple of my personal favorites below:

Other Top Dermatology Learning Resources

Dermatology Anki Questions

Where to Find More Anki Dermatology Decks

We highly recommend going on Reddit and searching the r/medicalschoolanki community.

Right now there’s recruitment going on for a crowd-sourced dermatology Anki deck based on converting Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin Clinical Dermatology into digital flashcard format.

Besides this, you’re also able to filter your results to see the most recent and most relevant Anki dermatology decks for your studies.

Why Use An Anki Dermatology Deck?

Excellent free resource
Saves time making your own cards while covering the most high yield principles

Top Tips for using Anki Dermatology Flashcard Decks

There can be lots of information on some cards which can be overwhelming. Our top tip is to keep it SIMPLE and make sure you are actively practicing the cards on a regular basis.

Keep reviewing the cards where possible, i.e. once you have finished your set for the day, briefly make a mental note or write down on a whiteboard any crucial new information you learned.