Learning dermatology on a dermatology elective.

The format of the 4-week dermatology elective rotation at the University of Florida is presented. A 20-item case example slide test was given as a pre-test and as a post-test to 12 internal medicine residents and 41 fourth-year medical students during the elective. Results indicate that the residents (48% correct) and students (46% correct) did not differ in their recognition abilities for common dermatoses at the beginning of the elective. Both groups improved their scores significantly at the end of the dermatology elective (residents, 87% correct; students, 82% correct). These results indicate the usefulness of a dermatology elective program in improving dermatologic skills and of a clinical pre- and post-test approach for the crude assessment of such acquired knowledge for both rotating students and residents. This feedback can be helpful in modifying teaching programs for dermatology educators.