Perceptions of U.S. dermatology residency program directors regarding the adequacy of phototherapy training during residency Journal Article


Authors: Goyal, K; Nguyen, M. O.; Reynolds, R. V.; Mostaghimi, A; Joyce, C; Cohen, J. M.; Buzney, E. A.
Article Title: Perceptions of U.S. dermatology residency program directors regarding the adequacy of phototherapy training during residency
Abstract: BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Phototherapy utilization has declined over the last 20 years despite its efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Adequacy of phototherapy training in residency may be a contributing factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceptions of U.S. dermatology residency program directors (PDs) regarding the effectiveness of their programs#39; phototherapy training and what constitutes adequate phototherapy education. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to PDs to assess phototherapy training within their program; aspects such as dedicated time, exposure to different modalities, and barriers to resident education were surveyed. We assessed the statistical association between these aspects and the perception by PDs that a program#39;s training was adequate. Statistical testing was reported using Fisher#39;s exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 42 PDs responded. Residency training in oral psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA), home phototherapy, and excimer laser, respectively, is not provided in 19.0%, 31.0%, and 47.6% of programs. 38.1% of programs provide lt;/=5 hours of phototherapy training over 3 years of training. 59.5% of PDs cited lack of curriculum time as the most common barrier to phototherapy education. 19.0% of PDs reported completely adequate phototherapy training, which was significantly associated with inclusion of faculty-led didactics, assigned reading, or hands-on clinical training in the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: There is a mismatch between the resources devoted to phototherapy education and the need for dedicated training reported by PDs. Limited time is allocated to phototherapy training during dermatology residency, and a large majority of PDs do not feel that the phototherapy training offered is completely adequate.
Journal Title: Photodermatology, photoimmunology photomedicine
Volume: 33
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1600-0781; 0905-4383
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals, Inc  
Journal Place: England
Date Published: 2017
Start Page: 321
End Page: 325
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20171124; CI: (c) 2017; JID: 9013641; OTO: NOTNLM; 2017/08/24 00:00 [accepted]; 2017/09/01 06:00 [pubmed]; 2017/09/01 06:00 [medline]; 2017/09/01 06:00 [entrez]; ppublish