Qualifications to Become a Dermatologist
Dermatologists are medical doctors who work with patients who have problems with their hair or skin. This type of medicine involves a lot more than clearing up acne for self-conscious teenagers. Dermatologists diagnose and treat serious skin conditions such as skin cancer and Lyme Disease as well as investigate the causes of acne, hair loss, birthmarks and rashes.
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Educational Requirements
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As of 2011, all dermatologists must have a bachelor's degree in science. Bachelor's degrees can be in biology or chemistry; students will have to take courses in both of these sciences to earn their degree and to obtain the necessary foundation for graduate-level study. Students then must earn a medical degree by completing medical school. It usually takes four years to get a bachelor's degree and four years to get a medical degree.
Internship and Residency
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Dermatology students begin their internship after graduating form medical school. During the internship, students work under the supervision of doctors while continuing to take classes related to medicine, such as classes about recognizing, diagnosing and treating certain diseases. After completing the internship, students must complete four years of residency. During the residency period, students continue to work in hospitals under the supervision of doctors and work in different departments for a year, then declare dermatology as their specialty and work for three years under the supervision of dermatologists.
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Certification
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Dermatologists must pass state examinations in the state where they intend to practice medicine to receive their licenses and begin practicing dermatology. Dermatologists must demonstrate knowledge about skin, skin health and skin diseases as well as general medical knowledge and knowledge of medical procedures and ethics to pass their examinations. Passing the examination is the last step dermatologists must take to earn the right to practice dermatology.
Personal Qualities
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Like all doctors, dermatologists must be able to express compassion and empathy for patients and develop rapport with them to provide proper care. Dermatologists must also be able to think quickly under pressure so they can make important decisions quickly and determine the best course of action for the patient. Dermatologists must also be able to put their personal feelings aside so they can make decisions objectively and give patients the best care despite their feelings about a particular patient.
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