Genetics Education in US Dermatology Residency Programs: A Survey-Based Study

摘要

Working knowledge of the principles of genetics is important in the evaluation of patients with complex diseases across all medical specialties. In dermatology, genome-wide association studies have generated novel insights into the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata.~(~(1)~(4)) Familiarity with inheritance patterns and available genetic and molecular tests are therefore useful in the workup, diagnosis, and family counseling of patients with evidence of genetic skin disease. This is especially important given that genodermatoses encompass 560 distinct cutaneous disorders, many of which have overlapping features.~(~(5)) Although these topics are taught in medical school and residency education, greater emphasis is needed at all levels in this age of rapidly expanding technology and increased understanding of the human genome.We designed a cross-sectional study to assess how genetics topics are incorporated into curricula of dermatology residency programs in the United States. Of particular interest was to ascertain how genetics topics are taught, if resident competency in these topics are assessed, and whether the degree of emphasis placed on genetics/genomics topics varies among residency programs. A voluntary online survey was distributed to directors of accredited US dermatology residency programs via the Association of Professors of Dermatology electronic mailing list. Software from SurveyGizmo (Widgix LLC, Boulder, CO) was used for survey implementation and anonymous data collection.