Dermatology Introduction

Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a physician who has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair and nails, as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. Dermatologists have extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, melanomas, moles, and other tumors of the skin, contact dermatitis and other allergic and non-allergic disorders, and in the recognition of skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy), and infectious diseases. The dermatologist also has expertise in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars.

To be a certified dermatologist, a physician must have had at least four years of post-graduate residency training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The first broad-based general clinical year is followed by three years of intensive training in dermatology including dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery. In addition to the successful completion of the four years of required training, the certification process includes a comprehensive examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology.

With this background and knowledge, dermatologists are singularly qualified to diagnose and treat the wide variety of dermatologic conditions as well as benign and malignant skin tumors. Dermatologists also have expertise in the care of normal skin and in the prevention of skin diseases and skin cancers.

Dermatopathologist

Dermatopathologists are physicians who after completing their training in either dermatology or pathology pursued additional training in the interpretation of skin biopsies. These physicians work along side a dermatologist and help draw conclusions on a patient based on the microscopic information from the patient's biopsy. The accurate interpretation of the biopsy is important in the selection of appropriate therapies.

Chen Wang, M.D.