Systemic bias in the dermatology residency selection process, plus a derivative of birch bark effective for epidermolysis bullosa

Dermatology Weekly

Dermatology News:

1. No lab monitoring needed in adolescents on dupilumab: https://bit.ly/34YAqV0
2. Birch bark derivative gel found effective for EB, in phase 3 study: https://bit.ly/385LFge
3. Skin symptoms common in COVID-19 ‘long-haulers: https://bit.ly/385LFge

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Peer-to-peer

Underrepresented minority (URM) students often lack the resources needed to successfully navigate careers in medicine. In this episode, Candrice Heath, MD, (@DrCandriceHeath) talks to Alfredo Siller, MD, and Amit Pandya, MD, about the influence of social and cultural capital on a URM applicant’s competitiveness for dermatology residency programs. They discuss factors that impede diversification during the residency selection process and suggest potential solutions to promote equity among dermatology program applicants. “It is important when looking at residency candidates to value factors such as cultural competence, language skills, distance traveled, grit, having overcome adversity, and also look at the applicant and say: ‘Is this individual more likely to go work in an underserved community?’ Because that’s where our patients need us,” Dr. Siller explains.

Dr. Siller’s poster from the Skin of Color Society (@SkinOfColor) Scientific Symposium won Best Poster for Advancing Skin of Color Dermatology "Facing the Future Award."

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Hosts: Nick Andrews; Candrice R. Heath, MD (Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia)

Guests: Alfredo Siller Jr, MD (Center for Clinical Studies, Webster, Texas); Amit G. Pandya, MD (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, Mountain View, Calif.)

Disclosures: Dr. Heath reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Siller reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Pandya is a consultant for Arcutis Biotherapeutics, AVITA Medical, Chromaderm, the Immune Tolerance Network, Incyte, Pfizer, Viela Bio, and Villaris Therapeutics. He also is an investigator for Aclaris Therapeutics, the Immune Tolerance Network, Incyte, and Pfizer. He also has stock options in Clarify Medical and Tara Medical Enterprise.

Show notes by: Alicia Sonners, Melissa Sears

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