Our Dermatology Clinical Training Program is based in a comprehensive hospital with a large outpatient volume, providing a unique learning environment for our trainees. Here, trainees will be exposed to a vast number of common dermatological disease cases and have the opportunity to learn about dermatological diseases related to other specialties. Our department has a wealth of experience in skin pathology, fungal microscopy, and dermatoscopy reading, as well as a wide range of procedures such as laser, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, skin biopsies, and photodynamic therapy.

Our training program aims to cultivate dermatologists with comprehensive clinical skills and profound theoretical knowledge. Through practical operations and theoretical learning, trainees will master the multidisciplinary management of dermatology, including dermatopathology, mycology, and dermatoscopy techniques, as well as advanced treatment technologies such as laser, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, skin biopsies, and photodynamic therapy. Our goal is to provide a platform for trainees to develop and execute independent research projects under the guidance of appropriate mentors, thus achieving success in academic medicine.

Our target audience consists of physicians who are passionate about dermatology and eager to achieve excellence in both clinical and research fields. Whether they are newly graduated doctors from medical school or practicing physicians looking to further their education, our training program is designed to help them achieve personal and professional growth.

1. Theoretical knowledge training: Including pathophysiology of dermatological diseases, pharmacotherapy, phototherapy, laser therapy, etc.

2. Clinical skills training: Including skin biopsy, dermatological surgery, dermatopathology, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Clinical research training: Including clinical trial design, data analysis, research ethics, and scientific paper writing.

Our program aims to prepare dermatologists to achieve excellence in the multidisciplinary clinical care of patients with simple and complex skin diseases, functional skin disorders, and cutaneous involvement in systemic diseases, including ambulatory care, inpatient management, and procedures. Through exposure to a range of investigators engaged in diverse clinical, translational, and basic research in dermatology, we also aim to provide our advanced trainees a strong foundation in clinical investigation to launch them into successful careers in academic medicine. Dedicated research time and resources will allow our trainees to develop and execute independent research projects with the appropriate mentorship.

The program provides a full-time, 2-week to 6-month training experience. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for other lengths of training depending on your needs and interests.

• Fellows: Applicants for the Dermatology Fellowship must have completed an accredited dermatology residency program.

• Residents: To be eligible for the Dermatology Residency, you must have successfully completed a board-approved program in dermatology. Your dermatology residency may be completed either through our hospital's Graduate Medical Education program or another accredited program.

• Students:

1. Must be a final-year medical student when you are scheduled to participate in the rotation. This means all your core/required clerkship rotations are complete at the time of the clinical elective.

2. Medical School Approval - Letter of good standing from the dean's office of your medical school indicating you are in the final year with your expected graduation date, in good academic standing, and meet all requirements to complete an elective for academic credit.

Focus Areas & Subspecialties:

1. Psoriasis

2. Atopic Dermatitis

3. Vitiligo

4. Acne

5. Urticaria

6. Prurigo Nodularis

7. Hair Loss

8. Cutaneous surgery

9. Dermatopathology

Skills:

1. Diagnostic Procedures: Fungal microscopy, dermatoscopy, dermatopathology, etc.

2. Dermatological Procedural Skills: Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, needle debridement, laser therapy, skin biopsies, photodynamic therapy, dermatological surgical procedures, etc.

Monday

• Morning: Professor ward rounds

• Evening (1st week of each month): Frontier literature reading sharing and case discussion on misdiagnosed complex cases

• Evening (3rd week of each month): Complex case pathology slide sharing, multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion, and dermatological procedural skills teaching

Tuesday

• Morning: Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis specialty teaching clinic

• Afternoon: Alopecia and Prurigo nodularis teaching clinic, skin biopsy procedure teaching and practice in the dermatology ward

Wednesday

• Morning: Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis specialty teaching clinic

• Afternoon: Alopecia and prurigo nodularis teaching clinic, simulated surgery training (biweekly)

Thursday

• Morning: Professor ward rounds

• Afternoon: Vitiligo teaching clinic

• Evening: Dermatological common disease theoretical knowledge lectures, classic case sharing, and classic textbook interpretation sessions

Friday

• Afternoon: Dermatopathology slide reading course

Weekly Schedule for Dermatological Procedural Skills

• Skin biopsy operation teaching and practice: Tuesdays and Thursdays in the dermatology ward

• Dermatology outpatient department treatment teaching: Tuesdays, including cryotherapy and laser procedures

After each rotation, each faculty member evaluates each fellow according to core competencies in patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice. Faculty members meet with fellows individually for verbal feedback and evaluation. For dermatological procedures, technical competence is evaluated through specifically designed evaluation forms for skin biopsies and fungal microscopy, a simulator laboratory, and through a semiannual skills assessment program. Monthly, an aggregate evaluation of a fellow’s clinical progress is conducted through a clinical competency faculty committee.

The program is free of charge.