Factors associated with matching into research-focused dermatology residency programs.

Although dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties to match into, there is limited transparency in the residency match process. In this retrospective cohort study of 2234 allopathic medical graduates, we identify applicant characteristics associated with matching into research oriented dermatology programs. Many of the statistically significant variables in our study, including PhD/MD status, graduating from a Top-25 NIH funded medical school, increasing total number of pre-residency publications (PRPs), and increasing number of high-impact PRPs, correlate with future academic employment. Although literature shows an association between an increasing number of first author PRPs and future academic employment, we did not find number of first or last author PRPs to be predictive of matching into a research oriented residency program. A more comprehensive evaluation of an applicant's research output, considering both the final products of an applicant's research endeavors and an applicant's role in various projects, may better approximate an applicant's commitment to academics.

Trends of Research Output of Allopathic Medical Students Matching Into Dermatology, 2007-2018.

IMPORTANCE: According to the National Residency Matching Program's biennial Charting Outcomes in the Match (NRMP ChOM) reports, the mean number of research items of matched allopathic dermatology applicants has nearly tripled since 2007, rising from 5.7 to 14.7. Research items are self-reported by applicants and serve as an approximation of research output. Because the NRMP research items field is unverified and reported as an aggregate of several different research pursuits, it may not be an accurate representation of applicant research output. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the rise in NRMP-reported data is associated with a rise in verifiable, indexed publications from matched allopathic dermatology applicants from 2007 to 2018. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study including a bibliometric analysis on accepted applicant research output among 2234 matched allopathic dermatology applicants, with a total of 6229 publications, in dermatology residency programs for the years 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2018. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the mean number of peer-reviewed indexed publications and mean number of NRMP ChOM research items. Secondary outcomes assessed the quality of indexed publications by analyzing article type and journal of publication. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2018, the mean number of indexed publications per matched dermatology applicant increased from 1.6 to 4.7 (203% increase). Indexed publications consistently compose a minority of NRMP ChOM research items (28.8% across the 6 years of the study). Nonindexed research items increased at more than double the rate of indexed publications. Bibliometric analysis showed that all other types of publications are increasing at a rate of 6 to 9 times that of basic science publications, dermatology-related publications increased at 5 times the rate of non-dermatology publications, and publications in lower-impact factor dermatology journals increased at 4 times the rate of publications in higher-impact factor dermatology journals. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cross-sectional study provides data on the research output of matched dermatology applicants. Indexed publications compose a minority of NRMP research items. Medical student self-reports of research output may emphasize research quantity over quality.

Risk factors and timing of subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Information about the frequency and timing of subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), along with associated risk factors, is limited. However, this information is crucial to guide follow-up care for these patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk and timing of subsequent cSCC in patients who presented with an initial diagnosis of cSCC. METHODS: Retrospective review of an institutional review board-approved, single-institution registry of invasive cSCC. All patients had at least 2 primary cSCCs diagnosed on 2 separate dates 2 months apart. RESULTS: A total of 299 primary cSCCs were included. At 6 months from initial cSCC diagnosis, 18.06% (n = 54) of patients developed subsequent cSCC; at 1 year, 31.77% (n = 94); at 3 years, 67.56% (n = 202); and at 5 years, 87.96% (n = 263) developed subsequent cSCC. Risk factors associated with subsequent cSCC include age at initial diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.004-1.027; P = .008), T2 stage (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.07-2.57; P = .025), and poor tumor grade. Tumor grades well, moderate, and unknown have HRs of 0.21 (P < .001), 0.16 (P .001), and 0.25 (P = .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients who develop subsequent cSCC, 18.06% do so within 6 months, and 31.77% do so within 1 year of initial cSCC diagnosis. Patients with advanced age, poor histologic differentiation, and American Joint Committee on Cancer T2 stage are at highest risk. Close clinical follow-up after the initial diagnosis is recommended.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita successfully treated with intense pulsed light and pulse dyed laser therapy: a case report.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a rare vascular disorder characterized by blue-purple reticulated patches and plaques that can be localized or generalized. Associated skin atrophy and soft tissue hypoplasia is common while ulceration is relatively uncommon. As CMTC is exceedingly rare and spontaneous remission in childhood can occur in mild cases, evidence for treatment of severe, refractory disease is limited. We present the case of a four-year-old female with CMTC and associated painful, recalcitrant ulcers successfully treated with a combination of pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light therapy.