INTRODUCTION
For many medical students, specialty interest groups provide first exposures and help generate interest in various medical specialties. Specialty interest groups also serve as important resources for gaining information and accessing opportunities for career exploration or building residency applications.1,2 Dermatology is among the most competitive medical specialties to match into, and one that has been plagued by gender and racial disparities.3,4 Studentidentified barriers to applying for dermatology residency include expectations of high standardized test scores and clinical grades and the risk of not matching.5 Among minority students, additional barriers include lack of mentorship, lack of diversity among practicing dermatologists, and negative perceptions of minority students by residency programs,5 prompting calls to address disparities and increase diversity.3,4
Dermatology interest groups (DIGs) may play a major role in helping to achieve this goal, particularly at medical schools with limited resources and dermatology exposure opportunities. The Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) is a national student-run organization that provides volunteering, research, and mentoring opportunities to support all medical students interested in a career in dermatology.6 DIGA unites over 112 individual DIG chapters nationwide through a board of regional directors; chairs of diversity, research, patient education/advocacy; professional societies liaison, webmaster/database coordinator, and public relations/ social media representative.6 This study sought to characterize the activities, goals, challenges of DIGs nationwide.
Dermatology interest groups (DIGs) may play a major role in helping to achieve this goal, particularly at medical schools with limited resources and dermatology exposure opportunities. The Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) is a national student-run organization that provides volunteering, research, and mentoring opportunities to support all medical students interested in a career in dermatology.6 DIGA unites over 112 individual DIG chapters nationwide through a board of regional directors; chairs of diversity, research, patient education/advocacy; professional societies liaison, webmaster/database coordinator, and public relations/ social media representative.6 This study sought to characterize the activities, goals, challenges of DIGs nationwide.
METHODS
A 15-question survey was distributed electronically through