“We feel that patient care and research efforts of many medical dermatologists have benefited from dual training in internal medicine and dermatology, and our organization is currently exploring the establishment of combined training programs for dual board eligibility.”
-Werth VP, Sonetheimer RD, Piette WW, Lee, LA. Arch Dermatol. 1998; 134)9):1159-1160
Overview
The overarching objective of combined training is to acquire knowledge and experience across both medicine and dermatology disciplines in order to best care for patients with complex medical and dermatologic illnesses, and support career development in this area of unmet need.
Examples of the diseases commonly seen by medical-dermatologists include autoimmune (connective tissue diseases such as lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and others), blistering disorders, vasculitides, cutaneous lymphomas, cutaneous malignancies, dermatologic manifestations, and implications of systemic diseases. Trainees are also eligible for the full breadth of clinical fellowship training across internal medicine subspecialties or dermatology fellowship programs.
Careers After Med-Derm Training
At the end of the combined 5-year residency training, graduates are eligible for board certification in both internal medicine and dermatology. Med-Derm graduates have taken roles commonly in: dermatology hospitalist/inpatient consultation, complex/subspecialty clinics, clinical research roles, education, administrative-leadership roles, and in some cases have done subspecialty fellowships in rheumatology, oncology, and others.
What is Med-Derm Residency Training?
Current Med-Derm Residency Training Programs
Harvard Dermatology/Brigham and Women’s Hospital
University of Pennsylvania
Northwestern University
University of Minnesota
