What does it take to become a "Dermatologist", anw

[todmiller]

I've been reading so many posts about other's experiences with their dermatologists, and it is almost as frustrating as this damned disorder, hearing about how incompitent these derms are.

I seriously want to know, do they go through medical school like other doctors?

[lakan]

I believe they do, otherwise it would be crazy hehe. The thing is, they are not that incompetent when it comes to other things like birthmarks and stuff. I remember meeting a dermatologist for checking a birthmark and then have it removed a couple of years ago, and the doctor seemed to know everything about all types of birthmarks and told me it would be best to remove it. But now a couple of years later when i visit dermatologists for this crap they just stand their with their prescriptions for worthless topicals and can't really say a thing.

[Mermaid]

Hi everyone,

Yes I must agree that a great source of frustration when I was first diagnosed was the endless stream of clueless dermatologists.

I think that as we now all know, rosacea is a vascular disorder, not a skin disorder. Of course it then manifests itself into a number of symptoms which traditionally are treated by dermatologists.

What has been seriously lacking is communication. By that I mean communication between dermatologists - skin specialists, neurologists - who study flushing syndromes and vascular specialists - who study blood vessel disorders.

This lack of interchange of information between these specialists has I believe led to much confusion and as a result the underlying vascular condition is never addressed.

In my opinion, many dermatologists think that rosacea already has a cure, whether it be Metrogel or whatever. Many dermatologists are just unwilling to step out of their 'old school' way of thinking and are not open to the cutting edge information out there with regards to rosacea, flushing and blushing etc.

I hope that in the future, physicians will realise what a multi faceted disorder this is and hopefullly will be better able to treat us to our satisfaction.

Mermaid.

[tryingtogetoverit]

Yes, they are. They are MD's first, and then go into specialty.

[todmiller]

So they are MDs first, and THEN specialize? That might explain a thing or two. They likely do not specialize in anything close to the rosacea arena.

Mermaid, you bring up a great point about lack of communication, and the mentality that there is already a cure for rosacea. I would love to visit my local university, pop into a medical class and scream at the top of my lungs that there is no cure!! Focus on the future derms, who aren't yet set in their ways.

[snwbdrloco84]

This was on another site...

Q: What educational requirements are there to become a dermatologist?

A: You need four years of college, four years of medical school, at least one year of internship and three years of dermatology residency.

http://www.palmbeachclassifieds.com/employment/jobs/q&a/so_021304.html

That is at least 12 years. Holy cannoli!!

[irishgenes]

What has been seriously lacking is communication. By that I mean communication between dermatologists - skin specialists, neurologists - who study flushing syndromes and vascular specialists - who study blood vessel disorders.
Mermaid

Has anybody been to a vascular specialist (other than those who just treat spider veins at IPL/laser centers?) I'm wondering if I might have better luck with them than dermatologists. I did go to a neurologist who looked on in amazement while I flushed sitting there in his office. Said he had never seen anything like it. Obviously, no help there.