Why You Should Consider Specializing in Dermatology

Medical students all face the same daunting decision: choosing a specialty. Your family, friends, professors and mentors will all have different advice to help you become a skilled physician like Rachel Tobin Yale. If you would like to choose a specialty that allows you frequent patient interaction, excellent pay and a great deal of variety, dermatology may be the right choice for you.  

Dermatology Defined

You already know that dermatologists specialize in skin issues, but what exactly does that mean? Many people think that dermatologists only work on cosmetic concerns like pimples and wrinkles. While many dermatologists help patients with skin imperfections, it is only one part of their job. Most dermatologists have to know how to perform at least simple surgeries like mole excisions.  Many take on the vital work of finding and treating skin cancer. Dermatologists can choose from many sub-specialties. They can focus on patients in a certain age group. Some work in laboratories as pathologists who examine tissue samples for signs of disease. 

All of this work is important. Dermatologists use cutting-edge techniques to improve upper arm skin laxity and perform other corrective treatments. Cosmetic procedures can boost a patient’s self-esteem and even help with their careers, as some recruiters can subconsciously judge people on their appearance. Dermatologists often notice diseases and disorders before other doctors do because even small complaints like rashes can reveal other problems. Diagnosing skin cancer can sometimes include finding other kinds of cancer as well. 

What It Takes To Become a Dermatologist

Dermatologists need to possess many social and intellectual skills. They need to be highly perceptive to provide the best care to their patients. Like all doctors who work with patients, dermatologists need to be empathetic and possess excellent listening skills. If you want to choose this specialty, you have to be committed to continuing your education to keep up-to-date with the latest medical research. It is vital to have a good memory as well so that you can make quick and accurate diagnoses. 

You will need to perform well in a medical school that has a well-regarded Department of Dermatology. You will have to take a licensing exam and receive a very high score. When you work in a clinical setting during your last year of medical school, apply yourself so that you can earn exceptional evaluations from your mentors. It is also important to obtain glowing letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors.