Derm residency programs lack sexual, gender minority content

Curricular integration is inconsistent for sexual and gender minority patients in dermatology residency programs, according to a research letter published in JAMA Dermatology.

“Although most dermatology residency programs reported that training in care of sexual and gender minority patients was important, curricular integration was inconsistent,” corresponding author Elizabeth E. Bailey, MD, MPH, of the department of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, told Healio.

Researchers sent a web-based survey to 123 U.S. dermatology residency programs to assess sexual and gender minority (SGM) residency curricula and included questions about residency demographics, integration of SGM content, importance of SGM-specific training, barriers to integration and best ways to incorporate SGM topics.

Ninety programs (73%) returned surveys. Of the respondents, 81% of program directors acknowledged the importance of residents receiving training on caring for SGM patients, 73% reported training on dermatologic concerns secondary to HIV/AIDS, and 28% had curricular content on gender minorities or transitioning care. There were no topics relevant to SGM patients in 20% of dermatology residency program curricula, and 51% of programs reported considering including SGM content in the next 5 years.

Programs reported the most common barriers to including SGM content into curricula were insufficient time in the curriculum schedule (69%) and lack of experienced faculty (62%).

“Resources are needed to address dermatology residency curriculum gaps to provide high-quality, culturally competent care for sexual and gender minority patients,” Bailey said. “We now need to learn which resources and tools are most effective to address current gaps in sexual and gender minority residency curriculum development and to improve care for sexual and gender minority patients.”

“The study by Jia and colleagues identifies both a lack of consistent and comprehensive SGM health education for dermatology residents and a desire by many program directors to increase education on SGM health-related topics,” Kara Sternhell-Blackwell, MD, of the division of dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues wrote in an accompanying editorial.

According to the editorial, in order to provide adequate training in SGM health, academic dermatology practices should also focus on “excellent” clinical care for SGM patients.

“Addressing the demonstrated gap between current and desired SGM health education for future dermatologists will be critical to addressing health disparities among SGM individuals, and this should be a priority for the field of dermatology as it continues to emerge as a visionary leader in SGM health,” Sternhell-Blackwell and colleagues wrote. – by Erin T. Welsh

Disclosures: Bailey reports no relevant financial disclosures. Sternhell-Blackwell reports she is a current co-chair of the American Academy of Dermatology LGBTQ/SGM Expert Resource Group. Please see the reports for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.