Dermatology Preceptorship

Catalog Description: Most of the teaching and learning will be accomplished by daily patient care activities at one of the three affiliated hospitals. Students will participate in the regularly scheduled weekly didactic conferences in the department. Independent study is expected and encouraged. This elective will be useful to students planning a career in a primary care specialty or dermatology.

Students interested in pursuing a residency in dermatology are strongly encouraged to take the Dermatology preceptorship course as early as possible in their 3rd year of medical school training.  This will allow adequate time to move on to the Advanced Dermatology course in their 4th year.

Sites: 

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table. 

*For students placed within the M Health Fairview system: In addition to being scheduled in Dermatology provider clinics on the University campus, you may also potentially be assigned to Dermatology provider clinics that are off campus and may be located in suburban communities (see above).  Please notify the course director, Dr. Maria Hordinsky, and the course coordinator as soon as possible if transportation will be an issue during your rotation so they can notify the department scheduler.

Required session attendance: Students are required to attend resident didactics on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Thursday morning student lectures.

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode: M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm

Direct patient care: Yes

Consent Requirement: Open to student scheduling

Course Objectives: This course provides an opportunity for students to increase their dermatological knowledge, develop appropriate dermatological concepts, and acquire technical dermatological skills.

Dermatological Knowledge

• to understand and use dermatologic terminology appropriately
• to be able to describe skin lesion and eruptions
• to formulate a diagnosis and differential diagnosis for common skin disorders
• to recognize and design appropriate therapeutic management for common skin disorders

Dermatologic Techniques -- The student will:

• learn to use laboratory diagnostic procedures, including microscopic examination of dermatologic preparations
  become familiar with cutaneous surgical techniques, including shave and punch biopsies, curettage, cryosurgery, and electrosurgery

Dermatologic Concepts -- The student will learn:

• the relationship of skin disease to systemic illness
• the rationale of topical and systemic dermatological therapy

Graded Components:

• Clinical Assessment
• Final Examination

Grading Scale: H/E/S/N