A dermatologist studies the skin ~ usually on humans. The need for dermatology training in the world is acute now. Approximately three billion people living in more than 100 countries lack basic care for their skin diseases. For the most part, skin diseases in the world can be diagnosed and effectively treated by simple and inexpensive means. However, what is needed is the trained personnel to provide skilled and knowledgeable patient care ~ professional dermatologists.
Trained dermatologists usually combine several activities - seeing patients in public hospital clinics and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching, and delving into clinical or basic research.
Dermatologists must have expertise in basic sciences including microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, physics and physiology. Although many skin diseases are isolated, a significant portion of skin symptoms reflect a more generalized disease that affects other organs. Hence, a dermatologist is required to have a working knowledge of basic surgery, rheumatology (many rheumatic diseases can feature skin symptoms), neurology (the "neurocutaneous syndromes", such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis) and endocrinology. Dermatologists also need to be familiar with other medical specialities because skin disease can be caused by other conditions unrelated to the skin such as stress.
Trained dermatologists usually combine several activities - seeing patients in public hospital clinics and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching, and delving into clinical or basic research.
Dermatologists must have expertise in basic sciences including microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, physics and physiology. Although many skin diseases are isolated, a significant portion of skin symptoms reflect a more generalized disease that affects other organs. Hence, a dermatologist is required to have a working knowledge of basic surgery, rheumatology (many rheumatic diseases can feature skin symptoms), neurology (the "neurocutaneous syndromes", such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis) and endocrinology. Dermatologists also need to be familiar with other medical specialities because skin disease can be caused by other conditions unrelated to the skin such as stress.