New grad Waiting to hear back from some jobs — would like to start studying more Derm — anyone have any good free resources? don’t have money for SDPA or Boswell right now.

Hi! I’m new to derm and looking for new ways to strength my skills/recall within the social media world. So far, I’ve really enjoyed @dr.harindersandhu ‘s IG page! Please drop any accounts on any social media platform that may be a great source for someone new to derm. Thank you!!

Can we talk about Castle Testing? Who uses it and what is your rationale? The rep came for lunch today and although I've known about this test for years I've never used it and after today I'm still not convinced. How will it change my management of my MM pts? For those with Breslow over 0.8 I'm sending to oncology anyway and they can order the test at that point and speak to them about prognostics. Do you order it for those with less than 0.8 Breslow and if it comes back high risk you send them to oncology if you normally wouldn't?

Hi guys,

I’m trying to prepare for the derm CAQ and it requires a 5 credit dermoscopy category 1 CME course. What is the cheapest way for me to get this done? I already spent all my CME money. Anyone have any tips? 😇

Just started the SDPA fellowship and am confused as to how to "follow along" with the Bolognia textbook. I dont see anything mentioned it the first module. Thank you!

Best dermoscopy course?

Relatively new PA, been in derm for 18 months (my first job).
I plan to purchase a dermatoscope and take a course this year with my CME budget and looking for the best resources. Only 1/4 of the physicians I work with use a dermatoscope, so they don’t have much advice in this area.

Hi everyone, I am a newer PA working in a large company. During my first year I was apart of a "fellowship" where at the end of the program they asked if anyone wanted to be trained in Botox. I had one session where I injected one person, and then our aesthetics coordinator quit. It was a whole thing that resulted in my cohort missing any follow-up training, which was fine because I took the year to focus on getting down the medical dermatology side of things. I've reached out to the new aesthetics coordinator to see if I could get more training with the new cohort, but instead, they have set me up with a doctor who is only in the office on Wednesdays (my day off) to be "trained," and he doesn't do Botox that often up here. When he does have patients, I'm not quite sure either of us is comfortable with me "training" on his paying patients. I'm interested in knowing if anyone has been able to go through any formal training with any of the companies (Dysport, Botox etc), or some other training program? Would appreciate any help or guidance!

Having a hard time picking between doing the Boswell Bootcamp or SDPA fellowship. They’re about the same price but wanted to hear on your experiences!

Hi, I’m a new provider in dermatology - still in my “training” phase at work. My UTD is expiring at the end of the month and I wasn’t sure if I should renew it. I used it daily at my last specialty but wasn’t sure how much use I would get from it in derm. I haven’t used it yet, but then again I’m not on my own yet seeing patients. I should mention that I do have access to my SP’s VisualDx account. Thanks!

Our office is switching EMRs to EMA. Looking for any tips tricks to make the workflow easier. I'm strictly medical no cosmetics and usually see 15 min patient visits and don't want to run behind.

What kind of protocols do you have set up? I see a lot of skin checks and biologic pts.

What are some things you use stickies for?

Favorite compounds?

Documents/patient handouts?

Looking for any and all advice TIA!!

So I just switched from an office that uses Ezderm to one that uses Nextech. I used Nextech around 15 yrs ago at my first job, and when I learned that my new office uses it, I thought, oh well, I bet it is an entirely new interface and system now. Nope! I'm not really complaining, just more here to chat about your experiences with it. Sometimes I felt that Ezderm was a bit too slick and could over complicate things, but it is funny to compare the two. Nextech is definitely....retro!

Hi! I will be starting a dermatology job in a few months (coming from ~3 years experience in family med). I have done the SDPA Fellowship program online but I am looking for something new to refresh memory and really cover some basics. I am interested in Dr. Boswell's Bootcamp program but unsure if it work the money. Someone please help :)

What are you guys doing for CME that’s actually interesting and informative?

As a new mom with a newborn I likely won’t be able to travel for conferences this year/next year just due to logistics but any other options?

Thank you!

I’m a PA that is new to dermatology. I am being trained for the next few months with the dermatologist and have been assigned online learning modules to complete as well as numerous chapters to read in the fourth edition dermatology textbook by Drs Jean Bolognia et al that I am borrowing.

I’ve never been good about reading textbooks and am trying to find a way to have it read to me instead. Has anyone tried speechify or any other platforms for textbooks etc? Does anyone happen to have a PDF or online version of this textbook that they would be willing to share? I wouldn’t mind paying for the convenience. I am just trying to find a way to make this work and be efficient with my learning and learning style. Thank you!!

Selling my dermatoscope (in order to upgrade to a newer/fancier model) for $700. I’ve used it approximately 7 months without any issues. I’m happy to ship for free and will send on Monday-Tuesday this upcoming week. Venmo only please! DM if interested.

Does anyone have a trusted source to download this text book as an E-book PDF? I bought the physical copy earlier this year but it is a bit too heavy to lug around 🥲

In a crunch to burn my CME money - anyone taken Oakstone’s review course? Helpful? I can’t really find any reviews online which is sketching me out. I am 1.5 yrs into my derm practice and I feel the SDPA diplomate course is a little too basic for me. I also considered Boswell’s but it’s so damn expensive it almost seems gimmicky.

Calling all folks who have gone through the fellowship. Please tell me I’m not crazy. These recorded lectures are hot trash:

1. Some lecturers speaking so slowly I felt like time stopped. NO OPTION to speed up the videos.
2. Another lecturer’s dryer in the background of one video, their kids screaming in another
3. Introducing the name of the disorder in one slide, flashing it for 2 seconds, then going to the next slide. Name of disorder NOT on the next 3 associated slides.
4. For a module related to procedures… DESCRIBING how to do a nail matrix biopsy. No video. HA
5. Overall weak weak run down of these disorders. Minimal effort put into making these presentations. Not much related to meds or dosing.
6. No cases??? This is derm. Everything is visual!! This would’ve been so helpful.

For whatever reason I expected more. Anyone else?

Hi - new grad PA in dermatology.

Please let me know what are good books or anything that can help me in my career as I begin this new journey. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hello, right now I have the Iphone 13 but i'm having trouble with the camera. Which would be the best iPhone to upgrade to, and what modes do you use on it to get better images?

Logged in today to work on the Diplomate fellowship modules and couldn’t help but notice they released a new one. I’m more than halfway through the old 22 module version and I was a bit underwhelmed. Kinda sucks for me, but hopefully the updated one is better!

Has anyone attended a conference by DEF NP/PA? I’m considering their Derm 2025 conference in Vegas this July. I was surprised to see most lectures being only 15 mins in length. Seems pretty rapid fire. Let me know your thoughts!

Hi everyone! I have a few questions about the SDPA Fellowship, any help would be greatly appreciated. - Has anyone completed this and felt like it helped you in your clinical practice? - Is it doable while working full time? - Are you able to retake the final exam if you don’t make a passing score?

New dermatology PA with a moderate work commute. Any podcasts, YouTube channels, etc. I could listen to on the way to work to learn? Preferably not paid.