Dermatology Residency Program Influences Chance of Successful Surgery Fellowship Match: The 2020 Match Cycle Update

Home Programs, Mentor Relationships, and Research Productivity Influence Successful Matching Into Dermatology Training Programs

“…In collaboration with numerous health organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been many legislative policies developed to regulate tanning bed use in both the United States and Canada. 2,3 These include policies against false advertisements about the risks and benefits of indoor tanning and policies requiring information to be provided to users about age restrictions, avoidance in those with certain skin types, or those with a personal or a family history of skin cancers, in addition to recommending regular skin examinations. 2,3 Evaluating the mentioned "health benefits" of UV tanning on tanning salon websites, evidence has shown that base tans provide little to no protection against…”

“…2,3 These include policies against false advertisements about the risks and benefits of indoor tanning and policies requiring information to be provided to users about age restrictions, avoidance in those with certain skin types, or those with a personal or a family history of skin cancers, in addition to recommending regular skin examinations. 2,3 Evaluating the mentioned "health benefits" of UV tanning on tanning salon websites, evidence has shown that base tans provide little to no protection against…”

“…The authors found that 62.3% of applicants with a home fellowship program matched compared with 49.4% of applicants without a home fellowship. 2 They also found that 23.8% of matched applicants with home fellowships matched into their home programs. We studied matched applicants at the top 25 Doximity-ranked dermatology residencies from 2016 to 2018 and found that a very similar percentage (24.4%) of successful applicants matched at their home dermatology residency programs.…”

“…Home Programs, Mentor Relationships, and Research Productivity Influence Successful Matching Into Dermatology Training Programs W e read with interest the cross-sectional study of Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology (MSDO) fellowship applicants by Rickstrew and colleagues. 1,2 The authors reported that applicants from dermatology residency programs with home MSDO fellowships were more likely to match into MSDO fellowships than applicants without home fellowships. Applying to MSDO or cosmetic dermatologic surgery fellowships is a highly competitive process, with only 57.5% of MSDO applicants matching in the San Francisco (SF) Match 2018 to 2020.…”

“…1 Despite safer, sunless alternatives to achieving an "ideal" tan, millions of individuals continue to use tanning beds. 2 A plausible explanation may be that the tanning industry continues to perpetuate the misbelief that ultraviolet (UV) tanning is safe, healthy, and beneficial, emphasizing "health benefits," such as increased vitamin D production, while downplaying its harms. 1 Individuals interested in UV tanning may look to businesses offering such services for information.…”