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. 2022 Apr 23:15:745-750.
doi: 10.2147/CCID.S357743. eCollection 2022.

Medical Student Confidence in Diagnosis of Dermatologic Diseases in Skin of Color

Kathren H Shango  1 , Fouad A Abdole  1 , Sarah M Gonzalez  1 , Mehdi Farshchian  2 , Meena Moossavi  2
Affiliations

Medical Student Confidence in Diagnosis of Dermatologic Diseases in Skin of Color

Kathren H Shango et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate medical student confidence in diagnosing dermatologic diseases in skin of color.

Methods: A voluntary supplemental module was implemented as part of the second-year dermatology curriculum at Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSU SOM) in Detroit, Michigan. The goal of the module was to ascertain whether it may increase confidence in students with their approach to diagnosing diseases in darker skin tones.

Results: Seventy-seven of 295 students (26%) completed a "Skin of Color" optional module consisting of thirteen cases of common skin pathologies in African American patients. A pre- and post-survey performed to assess students' confidence using a five-point Likert scale. After completing the module, medical students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in confidence in diagnosing skin pathologies in skin of color.

Conclusion: Dermatology pre-clinical course work should include supplementary materials to increase student confidence in diagnosing skin diseases in darker skin tones.

Keywords: epidemiology; health disparities; medical education; skin of color.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical data demonstrating the confidence of students before and after taking the module. A p value less than 0.05 was deemed significant, which is indicated on the graph with an asterisk (*).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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