AAD Offers Core Curriculum Online

The American Academy of Dermatology has developed a Medical Student Core Curriculum that teaches the fundamental principles of dermatology. The online curriculum—available at www.aad.org/MSCC—was designed as a companion to clinical dermatology rotations for medical students. It also may be used by educators to assist medical students who are interested in dermatology or by non-dermatologists who are interested in gaining an essential understanding of skin conditions.
The curriculum consists of 34 modules, all of which have been peer-reviewed and are based on the best-available evidence for skin conditions that range from inflammatory to infectious to skin cancer. The modules are listed alphabetically on the Medical Student Core Curriculum landing page. Students are encouraged to review the modules in this order and follow a two- or four-week review process. Each module includes a presentation with photos, which are often accompanied by videos, to assist students in their learning. After completion of each module, students can test their knowledge with quiz questions. There are no time limits or restrictions, so visitors can review the materials as often as they like, as well as reference the information whenever they come across cases in their medical practices.
“This free, online curriculum will help broaden the dermatologic knowledge of medical students, clinical staff, and physicians, enhance their skills in evaluating and diagnosing skin conditions, and provide them with a valuable and easily accessible resource that will ultimately benefit their patients,” said Daniel M. Siegel, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. “Medical students and their professors can use the curriculum to help them diagnose and treat what they see and experience with patients on a day-to-day basis, and for those who have completed medical school, it can serve as a dermatology review in topics from acne to pediatric fungal infections to warts.”