How to become a Dermatologist
Dermatologists specialise in the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, acne, skin infections and psoriasis, using techniques such as ultraviolet light therapy, photodynamic therapy and laser treatment. Dermatologists also detect and treat skin cancers.
Personal requirements for a Dermatologist
- Good communication skills
- Able to exercise high ethical standards
- Compassionate towards others
- A high degree of motivation and self-discipline
Education & Training for a Dermatologist
A dermatologist is a medical specialist which requires further study after completing a medical degree. To become a medical practitioner you usually have to study medicine at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with particularly good results. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Some universities offer medicine as a double degree and may have additional prerequisites. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information. Entry into these courses is highly competitive and is based on a combination of academic achievement, performance on the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) and a structured interview. The UCAT is a written test that assesses non-academic personal qualities. Alternatively, you can become a medical practitioner by completing a relevant bachelor degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in medicine. Entry into the graduate-entry courses is based on prior completion of a bachelor degree, performance in the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and a score resulting from a semi-structured interview. Studies in behavioural, social, biological and physical sciences, and humanities are likely to enhance performance in the test, and are offered at most universities. After obtaining a medical degree, you will need to complete an internship and a residency, each for a minimum of a year. From there, an additional four years of vocational training is required to complete a Fellowship at the Australian College of Dermatologists.
Duties & Tasks of a Dermatologist
A dermatologist:
- Perform skin examinations
- Inform patients about the need for annual screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness and skin-based self-examinations
- Document the medical history of patients
- Diagnose and treat a range of skin conditions, including acne, skin cancer and athlete’s foot
- Examine the patient to determine the nature of the disorder or illness and record the patient’s medical information
- Order, perform and analyse laboratory tests and other diagnostic images and procedures
- Provide overall care for patients and prescribe and administer treatments, medications and other remedial measures
- Aid in the prevention of diseases and conditions
- Advise patients on diet, exercise, hygiene and general health
- Prescribe and administer medication and inoculate patients to prevent infectious or contagious diseases
- Report births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities
- Arrange for patients to be admitted to hospital
- Refer patients to other medical specialists and exchange relevant medical details.
Working conditions for a Dermatologist
Dermatologists are involved in a wide range of activities, including consulting patients, attending emergencies, performing operations and arranging medical investigations. When caring for patients, dermatologists work with many other health professionals. They may also participate in and undertake research. Dermatologists sometimes have to deal with unpleasant conditions due to a patient’s illness or injury. Adopting strict hygiene practices is important. Depending on their place of work, dermatologists may have to work long, demanding and irregular hours.
Employment Opportunities for a Dermatologist
Dermatologists usually work in private practice and/or attend clinics at hospitals and institutions. A small number have full-time positions in hospitals. Dermatologists are not often called upon to attend emergencies and generally do not have on-call responsibilities. There is a high level of patient contact and in many cases long-term ongoing care for patients with chronic skin conditions.Opportunities for medical graduates in general depend on a variety of factors, including birth and death rates, population levels and movements, changing patterns of illness and injury, technological advances in health care, the trend towards preventative medicine and the cost of treatment and health insurance to the patient. While most city areas and major towns are well supplied with medical practitioners, there are shortages in some fields.
Specializations
Dermatologist
Dermatologists specialise in the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, acne, skin infections and psoriasis, using techniques such as ultraviolet light therapy, photodynamic therapy and laser treatment. Dermatologists also detect and treat skin cancers.
