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. 2025 Apr 24;33(5):412.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09459-w.

International survey on training of dermatology residents in supportive oncodermatology: the RESCUE study

Ariadna Ortiz-Brugués  1 , Davide Fattore  2 , Marie Boileau  3 , Ana-Maria Forsea  4 , Zoe Apalla  5 , Vasiliki Nikolaou  6 , Tatjana Radević  7 , Jelena Stojkovic-Filipovic  8 , Azael Freites-Martinez  9 , Grazyna Kaminska-Winciorek  10 , Yannick Elshot  11   12 , Eszter Baltas  13 , Ana-Clara Torre  14 , Julia Riganti  14 , Milan Anadkat  15 , Alexander Bang  16 , Monika Fida  17 , Bertrand Richert  18 , Lukas Kraehenbuehl  19 , Emily Avitan  20 , Nuno-Miguel Preto-Gomes  21 , Jessica C Hassel  22 , Brent J Doolan  23 , Nicolas Kluger  24 , Cécile Pagès  25 , Benoit Guillon  25 , Noémie Lacroix  26 , Mario Lacouture  27 , Vincent Sibaud  25
Affiliations

International survey on training of dermatology residents in supportive oncodermatology: the RESCUE study

Ariadna Ortiz-Brugués et al. Support Care Cancer. .

Abstract

Purpose: The dermatological management of cancer patients with cutaneous adverse events occurring during and after oncologic treatment is known as supportive oncodermatology. This includes prevention, early identification, and mitigation of dermatologic toxicities. The aim of the international RESCUE (Residents' survey on training of dermatology residents in supportive oncodermatology) study was to ascertain the current level of expertise in supportive oncodermatology among dermatology residents.

Methods: The European Task Force "Dermatology for cancer patients" and the US Oncodermatology Society developed an online questionnaire with 30 multiple-choice items. Responses were collected using qualitative ordinal data (yes/no, 1-5 ratings) and multiple-choice options. Ordinal range results were analyzed by aggregating responses 1 + 2 + 3 versus 4 + 5, with 5 representing the highest grade ("extremely confident" or "full training").

Results: A total of 442 dermatology residents from 20 countries replied. These participants reported receiving less comprehensive training in supportive oncodermatology (only 41% receiving complete training) compared to immunodermatology (75%), cutaneous oncology (75%), dermoscopy (64%), and dermatologic surgery (50%). Only 17% of the residents reported feeling confident in managing the dermatological toxicities associated with anticancer treatments. Residents also indicated receiving less education regarding toxicities related to endocrine therapies (28%). In particular, lower levels of competence were reported in managing nail, hair, and oral toxicities. A significant majority of residents (98%) deemed it essential to enhance training in dermatological toxicities associated with anticancer therapies during their oncology residency.

Conclusion: The RESCUE study represents the first project assessing residents' education in supportive oncodermatology. To enable future generations of dermatologists to provide enhanced care for cancer patients, supportive oncodermatology training should be integrated in residency programs worldwide, corresponding to training in other subspecialties. A more practical approach should also be incorporated, including extended training in hair, nail, and oral toxicities, enhancing the competencies of dermatology residents in all countries.

Keywords: Dermatologic toxicities; Dermatology education; Dermatology residents; Education; RESCUE; Residency; Residency education; Supportive oncodermatology; Training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Consent to participate: Informed written consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose.

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