College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Australas J Dermatol. 2023 May;64(2):e145-e151. doi: 10.1111/ajd.14000. Epub 2023 Feb 8.
Despite a high frequency of dermatological general practice and emergency department presentations, including serious and potentially fatal skin conditions, evidence suggests that undergraduate dermatological education remains sparse. Given this, there exists a need to gauge dermatology-relevant knowledge and skill in our new doctors.
An online survey was completed by final-phase medical students and junior doctors from Australian medical schools. The survey appraised self-perceived confidence of dermatology knowledge and skills, in addition to 5 knowledge-based multiple-choice questions.
Nine hundred and forty-two eligible responses were completed. Respondents reported low confidence in identifying dermatological conditions in people with skin of colour (μ = 1.69), handing over to dermatology colleagues (μ = 2.00) and in diagnosing and managing acute/emergency dermatology conditions (μ = 1.84). In contrast, participants felt most confident in counselling sun-protective behaviours (μ = 3.95) and suturing small wounds (μ = 3.43). 76.4% of respondents had not undertaken any dermatology placement, and 70.9% had never been formally assessed in dermatology. Those who received dermatology placement had a significantly higher aggregated self-reported confidence (p < 0.0001) and answered significantly more MCQs correctly (p = 0.0419). Those who had been formally assessed had a significantly higher self-reported confidence (p < 0.001) and answered significantly more MCQs correctly (p = 0.007).
Final-phase medical students and junior doctors exhibit low confidence across many dermatology competencies. Participants believed they need more dermatology education, and seldom feel prepared when exposed to dermatologic pathologies. Introduction of a standardised curriculum, formal assessments and increased clinical exposure are possible solutions.
尽管皮肤科的日常诊疗和急诊就诊非常频繁，包括严重和潜在致命的皮肤状况，但有证据表明，本科皮肤科教育仍然不足。考虑到这一点，我们需要评估新医生的皮肤科相关知识和技能。
来自澳大利亚医学院的最后阶段医学生和初级医生完成了在线调查。该调查评估了他们对皮肤科知识和技能的自我感知信心，以及 5 个基于知识的多项选择题。
完成了 942 份合格的回复。受访者报告说，他们对识别有色人种的皮肤疾病的能力缺乏信心（μ=1.69），将患者转介给皮肤科同事的能力（μ=2.00），以及诊断和管理急性/急诊皮肤科疾病的能力（μ=1.84）。相比之下，参与者对提供防晒行为咨询（μ=3.95）和缝合小伤口（μ=3.43）最有信心。76.4%的受访者没有接受过任何皮肤科实习，70.9%的人从未在皮肤科接受过正式评估。接受过皮肤科实习的人自我报告的综合信心明显更高（p<0.0001），并且答对的多项选择题也明显更多（p=0.0419）。那些接受过正式评估的人自我报告的信心明显更高（p<0.001），并且答对的多项选择题也明显更多（p=0.007）。
最后阶段的医学生和初级医生在许多皮肤科能力方面表现出信心不足。参与者认为他们需要更多的皮肤科教育，并且在接触皮肤科病理学时很少感到有准备。引入标准化课程、正式评估和增加临床经验是可能的解决方案。
