Response to: “Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic”
Authors: Erisa Alia, Lauren Skudalski, Jun Lu
Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2020)

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent article by Kearns et al1Kearns D.G. Chat V.S. Uppal S. Wu J.J. Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: 1214-1215Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar detailing the changes being faced by dermatology applicants during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Their article took a closer look at the recommendations made by the Dermatology Residency Program Directors regarding the upcoming application cycle, specifically the elimination of away rotations, the conduct of virtual interviews, and the application review process in response to this novel situation.1Kearns D.G. Chat V.S. Uppal S. Wu J.J. Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: 1214-1215Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar We would like to take the opportunity to raise awareness on additional challenges for subgroups of applicants surrounding the updated consensus statement and recommendations.2Dermatology Residency Program Director Consensus Statement and Recommendations Regarding the 2020-21 Application Cycle. 2020Google Scholar To supplement the lack of away rotations, it is recommended that students complete an in-person rotation at their home institution, while students without a home program can be considered for an in-person away rotation at a department within a close geographic proximity.2Dermatology Residency Program Director Consensus Statement and Recommendations Regarding the 2020-21 Application Cycle. 2020Google Scholar This may be relatively easy for students located in areas with a surplus of dermatology programs (Northeast, Southeast, or Pacific regions). However, it becomes more challenging for students in regions with significantly fewer programs that are often geographically distanced. In this predicament, an in-person away rotation becomes less realistic due to both travel time and institutional travel restrictions. Further, as most programs are not offering in-person away rotations, many applicants must rely on virtual interactions as a way to build academic relationships; this lacks the same level of clinical exposure and personal connection as regular rotations.3Rosman I.S. Schadt C.R. Samimi S.S. Rosenbach M. Approaching the dermatology residency application process during a pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: e351-e352Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Students with "weaker" academic records are another subgroup that may face extra hurdles during this cycle. Dermatology remains extremely competitive regarding testing scores, academic standing, and number of publications, presentations, and abstracts.4Kamath P. Wong L. Stratman S. Halverstam C. Time-series analysis of National Residency Matching Program data for the dermatology match in the United States.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: 210-213Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar Students who fall below the average benchmarks in these categories would normally use away rotations to garner additional support of their application through letters of recommendations and research opportunities. However, the lack of away rotations leaves these applicants in a similar place as those without a home institution: relying on virtual experiences to prove their skills and potential. Unfortunately, this will likely negatively influence under-represented minorities in medicine and international medical graduates, given that lower-than-average standardized testing scores are among the multiple factors that contribute to the lack of diversity in dermatology residency programs.5Jones V.A. Clark K.A. Patel P.M. Cordova A. Tsoukas M.M. Considerations for dermatology residency applicants underrepresented in medicine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; 83: e247-e248Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar Considering the pandemic will impact applicants unequally in clinical experiences, research productivity, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities, it becomes salient for programs to acknowledge individuality when evaluating applicants during this unprecedented time. We recommend that programs work closely and creatively alongside one another and with medical schools for holistic evaluation of applicants by formulating interactive individualized virtual rotations, planning to conditionally expand rotation opportunities to outside rotators within local COVID-19 guidelines, organizing remote conversations between residents and applicants, and developing research projects as an additional method to evaluate knowledge and skill. To level the playing field for all applicants, it is necessary for programs to implement measurements to mitigate the potential negative effects due to rotation and interview limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemicJournal of the American Academy of DermatologyVol. 83Issue 4PreviewTo the Editor: As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to unfold, the medical community has been forced to make a number of social and institutional adaptations to reduce the risk to patients and providers. Changes to the residency application process are particularly influential on students pursuing competitive specialties such as dermatology. In April 2020, the Dermatology Residency Program Directors released a consensus statement regarding the 2020-2021 application cycle.1 In this announcement, program directors acknowledged disruptions that may occur in extracurriculars, such as in-person clinical projects and community outreaches, research, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) step 2, and subinternships of dermatology applicants, calling for understanding from residency programs in this coming application cycle and making suggestions for how to best fill the gaps from missed opportunities. Full-Text PDF Reply to Letter to the Editor Regarding: "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic"Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyVol. 84Issue 1PreviewTo the Editor: We appreciate the continued discourse regarding our article "Applying to dermatology residency during the COVID-19 pandemic"1 by Alia et al2 that highlighted the novel challenges dermatology residency applicants are facing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to the issues facing all applicants this cycle, their response to our article highlighted groups of students that are particularly disadvantaged this cycle.2 Full-Text PDF