Didactic training

Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs, and one-on-one instruction are all integral parts of Mayo Clinic's Dermatology Residency.

There is also a strong emphasis on self-directed learning. Residents are expected to study dermatology six days each week, even when clinical practice is limited to five days. Formal didactics cannot cover all material necessary for review and study. Additional reading is expected to occur on the sixth day.

Residents are encouraged to study in small groups and use other learning resources as appropriate.

Conferences

Resident conferences

• Structured core curriculum. The weekly core curriculum is the focus of the didactic portion of dermatology training. It provides a systematic review of the dermatologic texts, led by residents with consultant oversight and input.
• Pediatric core curriculum. Pediatric core curriculum teaching is conducted monthly by staff pediatric dermatologists and follows the reference textbook topics.
• Dermatologic surgery core curriculum. Evening reviews of dermatologic surgery topics, including practical hands-on experience with pig's feet, lasers, and other surgical and cosmetic techniques, are conducted twice monthly.
• Dermatopathology. Residents receive weekly training around the microscope from dermatopathology staff, reviewing the spectrum of dermatopathology. Topics follow the teaching in core curriculum as appropriate.
• Kodachromes. Weekly kodachromes sessions taught by consultants provide training in visual pattern recognition and prepare residents for board examinations.
• Journal club. The journal club meets twice monthly and is led by residents. The main dermatologic literature is reviewed, as well as other pertinent medical literature. Broad participation by all residents is expected.
• Mini-courses. Didactic teaching is complemented by several mini-courses, conducted annually by a consultant with specific expertise such as patch testing or mucous membrane disease (alternating annually between oral and genital disorders). Dermoscopy and fungal courses are offered alternate years.

Departmentwide conferences

Clinical pathological conferences (CPC) are presented weekly and attended by staff and residents. Residents can review and discuss pathology with clinicians to highlight clinicopathologic correlation.

Hospital grand rounds are held on Thursday mornings. Cases from the hospital inpatient and consultation services are discussed with all members of the department for management challenges.

Clinical grand rounds are held on Thursdays at noon. Residents and staff present interesting or difficult cases seen in the outpatient setting each week for informal discussion and review.