Beauty may not be skin deep but the implications of skin problems can at times be deep enough to shake anyone’s confidence. Dermatologists have a very challenging job of helping patients overcome their skin ailments. These medical specialists have a lot of surface area to cover, since the skin is the largest organ of the body! A certified and professional dermatologist treats diseases like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis, epidermal acne and skin cancer to name a few. Specialization in cosmetic surgery gives a dermatologist the skill of injecting Botox and making women, around the world, younger hence, happier! The road to becoming a dermatologist and joining the elite gang of these skin magicians is obviously not easy – when is medical ever easy! But, the learning concerned with this field lasts a lifetime. Before getting involved, consider working in a hospital or a community centre for the experience of working with people who need help. Read this article for an insight on the courses to be undertaken and eligibility criteria for becoming a dermatologist.
Becoming A Dermatologist
Requirements
Eligibility
If you are in high school and are considering a career in dermatology, you are starting at the right time. Optimize on your science and math education and, in the mean time, look through medical colleges. Doing a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is important. Next, take the examination such as MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) which evaluates your academic, verbal and logical skills. You are now eligible for medical school. This lasts for a period of 4-5 years at the end of which you are given the title of M.D. (Medical Doctor). In post-medical school, you have another 5 years of specialization in dermatology wherein subjects like nails, hair, skin and membranes are covered. A residency as a dermatologist, at this stage is a must and gives you proper training for the job for 3-5 years. Finally, a licensure exam must be taken to become a board certified dermatologist.
Courses Required
Sub Specialist Courses – After completing a residency in dermatology, some medical doctors like to further specialize. This is called a sub-specialization. It must be a residency in any of the following: pediatrics, laser and cosmetic or cutaneous and pigmented lesion and melanoma.
Skills Required:
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Stress Management: It is important that dermatologists manage their jobs well as it involves a lot of stress. Due to a frustrating profession and a changing lifestyle, stress management cannot be ignored.
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Empathetic: Empathy signifies the ability to understand others’ feelings. Dermatologists must feel the patient’s pain to be able to cure them properly.
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Critical Thinking: This skill comes in handy in times of crisis. In emergency conditions like a skin transplant after an accident, they must be able to act wisely and promptly.
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Analytical: When patients come with problems, dermatologists need to look into their history, drugs taken, allergies etc and analyze the issue at hand. Analytical skills also mean having to visualize the outcomes and side effects.
Roles And Responsibilities
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Treating pigmentations, acne, rashes, wrinkles, epidermal hair, moles, hair loss are all a major part of their job. Fungal and skin illnesses like psoriasis have severe symptoms which are rectified dermatologists.
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Creating a certain judgment of the case means doing skin and tissue biopsies with the help of a microscope by either biological or chemical testing.
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A dermatologist needs to base his diagnosis for skin disorders, manifestations, infections and diseases on scientific research. They also need to know and prescribe only certified drugs in the market.
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The role of a skin specialist may also include counselling patients on prevention and treatment of skin ailments, keeping in mind the genetic and environmental factors.
Career Prospects
A dermatologist is basically a physician whose job has high scope due to the increasing emphasis on cosmetic and plastic surgery. Dermatologists who are specialized in a certain area with extensive experience have good job prospects. They lead very comfortable lifestyles with established freelancers doing better than the ones working with various institutions.
With the above requirements and eligibility, there should be no problem in acquiring the career of your dreams: dermatology!
