‘Open your doors’: Pathways program seeks to double diversity among dermatologists by 2027

Key takeaways:

• Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology is a program dedicated to increasing racial and ethnic diversity among dermatologists.
• Pathways offers opportunities to students seeking a career in dermatology.

The aim of Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology is to increase diversity among practicing dermatologists, one student at a time.

Launched in 2022 by the American Academy of Dermatology in collaboration with Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health) and Janssen, Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology is dedicated to doubling the number of dermatologists who are from Black, Latino and Indigenous communities by 2027.

According to the AAD, only one in four dermatologists are from these underrepresented communities, which has an impact on patients.

“People of color are significantly less likely than their white counterparts to see a dermatologist for the same conditions that they have,” Daphne Chan, PhD, MHEcon, head of U.S. Dermatology Medical Affairs at Janssen, told Healio. “Sometimes, not having a dermatologist who looks like them and who they will identify with or can relate to culturally, can impact why people are not seeking care.”

The Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology program supports students who are from Black, Latino and Indigenous communities and attending high school through medical school and residency by providing opportunities for networking, workshops for building skills and knowledge, mentorships and scholarships.

Pathways also hosts tailored activity events focused on career preparation for high school and college students, where they can learn about medicine, dermatology and how to succeed in a challenging field. In fact, Pathways just held its most recent event July 11 to 15 in Washington, D.C., and drew approximately 30 students from across the country.

“Some actually flew in with their parents,” Chan said.

The program spanned 5 days thanks to the efforts of participating dermatologists and experts in the dermatology field who shared their knowledge on applying to medical school, competing for residency positions and even performing certain dermatology procedures.

The event also included a panel discussion where students asked panelists about their personal take on the hardships, challenges and rewards that accompany a career in dermatology.

“We wanted to give a really personal touch to the students so they can see everyday people who all entered the field of dermatology from a very different place,” Chan said.

The final day of the event was capped off by student activities and hands-on demonstrations including the use of a colorimeter device, which is frequently used to measure skin type.

“We chose to demonstrate this device because it was a very simple but elegant way to open dialogue about how diversity and inclusion could be approached from many different angles,” Chan explained. “And one of those angles is measuring skin type and thinking about the implications of different skin in receiving dermatology medical care.”

Moving forward, Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology intends to continue hosting a medical student symposium on an annual basis as well as a plethora of additional events, workshops and other opportunities, according to Chan.

Dermatologists who are interested in participating in the program’s mission are encouraged to contact the AAD’s membership office to volunteer their time with Pathways as a mentor, event contributor or host of an internship opportunity.

However, the simple act of opening your practices’ doors to students, showing them the day-to-day side of dermatology, can increase diversity in the field, according to Chan.

“Show them what patients go to the dermatology office for, how practice is conducted, what procedures are being conducted, what are the hardships that dermatology patients actually experience,” Chan said. “Open your doors and show them that it is very real.”

Although Pathways will be implementing important strategies to bolster diversity and inclusion in dermatology, individuals can still make a daily difference.

“Every day that one more person talks about and acknowledges the underrepresentation issue, we get a step closer to real action,” Chan concludes. “No matter how big or small the action is, that’s how we will create impact.”

Reference:

• Pathways: Inclusivity in dermatology. https://www.aad.org/member/career/diversity/diversity-pathways. Accessed Aug. 3, 2023.