2. Disclose any exclusion criteria for application review.
Every program should disclose any exclusion criteria for application review. This includes but is not limited to USMLE scores, doctorate type (allopathic vs osteopathic) or location (US or foreign) of medical school, research or letter of recommendation requirements, and prior residencies.
3. State program-specific interview information.
Advanced planning can help to reduce both the psychosocial toll on applicants during the application process. Programs should clearly state interview dates and format, number of interview spots, resident positions available, and other expectations of the interviewee, including preferred etiquette for communication.
4. Share program-specific priorities.
Programs should share their mission statement, and special considerations for certain applicant groups such as scientific candidates, underrepresented minorities, or local/regional candidates. Diversity initiatives and current resident and faculty demographics and career interests can also help applicants better understand the priorities of the training program.
5. Provide information about program requirements and opportunities.
The Work Group encourages programs to disclose rotation/call/ consult/didactic schedules, elective and research opportunities, psychosocial and/or wellness initiatives, and subspecialty clinics.
These guidelines have been designed to improve transparency in dermatology residency selection and are one of many steps that need to be taken to make the application and interview process more accessible and equitable for our future colleagues.
DISCLOSURES
Drs. Burkemper, Friedman, Huang, Murina, Nord, and Rosmarin are members of the Association of Professors of Dermatology Program Directors Task Force and Residency Program Transparency Work Group. Additionally, Dr. Burkemper serves as the dermatology residency program director at Saint Louis University; Dr. Friedman serves as the dermatology residency director at George Washington University, Dr. Huang serves as the dermatology residency program director at Harvard University; Dr. Murina serves as the dermatology residency associate program director at Tulane University; Dr. Nord serves as the dermatology residency program director at Stanford University; Dr. Rosmarin serves as the dermatology residency program director at Tufts Medical Center.
References
1. Van Voorhees AS, Enos CW. Diversity in dermatology residency programs. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2017;18(2):S46-S49.
2. Fogel HA, Liskutin TE, Wu K, Nystrom L, Martin B, Schiff A. The economic burden of residency interviews on applicants. Iowa Orthop J. 2018;38:9-15.
3. Linos E, Wintroub B, Shinkai K. Diversity in the dermatology workforce: 2017 status update. Cutis. 2017;100(6):352-353.
4. Jia JL, Zizi Y, Veerabagu SA, et al. Improving transparency between dermatology residency programs and trainees: report from the Association of Professors of Dermatology Work Group on Transparency.[Published online ahead of print September 3, 2020] J Am Acad Dermatol. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.08.112.
Every program should disclose any exclusion criteria for application review. This includes but is not limited to USMLE scores, doctorate type (allopathic vs osteopathic) or location (US or foreign) of medical school, research or letter of recommendation requirements, and prior residencies.
3. State program-specific interview information.
Advanced planning can help to reduce both the psychosocial toll on applicants during the application process. Programs should clearly state interview dates and format, number of interview spots, resident positions available, and other expectations of the interviewee, including preferred etiquette for communication.
4. Share program-specific priorities.
Programs should share their mission statement, and special considerations for certain applicant groups such as scientific candidates, underrepresented minorities, or local/regional candidates. Diversity initiatives and current resident and faculty demographics and career interests can also help applicants better understand the priorities of the training program.
5. Provide information about program requirements and opportunities.
The Work Group encourages programs to disclose rotation/call/ consult/didactic schedules, elective and research opportunities, psychosocial and/or wellness initiatives, and subspecialty clinics.
These guidelines have been designed to improve transparency in dermatology residency selection and are one of many steps that need to be taken to make the application and interview process more accessible and equitable for our future colleagues.
DISCLOSURES
Drs. Burkemper, Friedman, Huang, Murina, Nord, and Rosmarin are members of the Association of Professors of Dermatology Program Directors Task Force and Residency Program Transparency Work Group. Additionally, Dr. Burkemper serves as the dermatology residency program director at Saint Louis University; Dr. Friedman serves as the dermatology residency director at George Washington University, Dr. Huang serves as the dermatology residency program director at Harvard University; Dr. Murina serves as the dermatology residency associate program director at Tulane University; Dr. Nord serves as the dermatology residency program director at Stanford University; Dr. Rosmarin serves as the dermatology residency program director at Tufts Medical Center.
References
1. Van Voorhees AS, Enos CW. Diversity in dermatology residency programs. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2017;18(2):S46-S49.
2. Fogel HA, Liskutin TE, Wu K, Nystrom L, Martin B, Schiff A. The economic burden of residency interviews on applicants. Iowa Orthop J. 2018;38:9-15.
3. Linos E, Wintroub B, Shinkai K. Diversity in the dermatology workforce: 2017 status update. Cutis. 2017;100(6):352-353.
4. Jia JL, Zizi Y, Veerabagu SA, et al. Improving transparency between dermatology residency programs and trainees: report from the Association of Professors of Dermatology Work Group on Transparency.[Published online ahead of print September 3, 2020] J Am Acad Dermatol. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.08.112.
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Jennifer T. Huang MD jennifer.huang@childrens.harvard.edu
