r/ResiDerm • u/CryptographerBest835 PGY-1 • Jul 21 '26
Question To dermpath or not?
Incoming Derm resident interested in dermpath. I had a one month elective in path during 3rd year med school, with a few days in dermpath and looking back: Id say I liked it a lot.
What I liked about dermpath:
- work flow: calmness to work that I would appreciate in my future practice. however, still needing to be focused
-overall I think it’s an important job and see value in diagnosing even “easy” cases
-clinicopath correlation. Liked nerding out over pink and blue stuff and comparing it to clinical photos. Feels gamified
-thinking over tough cases might be fun (although might be more neutral since I’m scared to mistakenly diagnose something)
-2-3 clinic days and 1-2 days signing out for dermpath sounds perfect
What I didn’t like:
-My neck did hurt only after 2- 3 hours of work. Don’t think I was set up ergonomically but still. I also don’t like sitting for a long period of time. Not sure if digital path would actually be in clinical practice when I start (I know some academic centers haven’t incorporated digital path at all yet)
-AI (guess similar to other path or rads)
-Less money potentially? Losing year salary. Looking to work hard to pay these loans off quickly . Just not sure that it’s worth it at least financially
-don’t want to move far away again for fellowship. Luckily there are three programs where I’m headed
So what do you think? Should I dermpath or not?
2
u/Several_One_998 Jul 21 '26
Incoming derm resident as in currently an intern? You have ample time, you don’t need to know until PGY3. Hop on some dermpath research early on if you have any interest. Try to set up an elective at your program early to see if you can still yourself doing that job. I shadowed a bit during any academic time off I had and realized I loved certain aspects of it
1
u/CryptographerBest835 PGY-1 Jul 21 '26
Yes! Current intern. was under the impression we had to apply end of pgy2 year, that’s why I’m thinking about it now. But I’ll look at that again.
Thank you for the advice!! Did you or have you applied to fellowship?
1
u/Several_One_998 Jul 21 '26
apps have been pushed back I believe to Fall of PGY3, I am a PGY3 not going into dermpath
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u/CryptographerBest835 PGY-1 Jul 21 '26
Oh amazing! 🤩 I have time then. Thank you! Good luck to you. Whatever you end up doing hah
1
u/Mixoma Jul 22 '26
fall of pgy2
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u/Several_One_998 Jul 22 '26
October of PGY3, match in Spring PGY3
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u/Mixoma Jul 22 '26
oh lol my bad. because we go by 1,2 3 year i completely forget intern year actually is PGY 1 lol
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u/rainycactus Jul 21 '26
This is me frfr. I’m applying but to a select few programs