A Student’s Glimpse Into Dermatology

Noreen Majeed, 8/11/24

For students such as myself and many of you reading, shadowing healthcare professionals in action is a vital insight to the field. Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow a local dermatologist in her own clinic that helped me appreciate the field and deepen my interest.

What Is Shadowing?
Shadowing is the process generally for students (high-school and college) to gain experience in the medical field by seeing a doctor in their day to day work. It is a chance to see how the doctor interacts with patients, manages their time, and applies their knowledge to patient cases. Shadowing is a great way for students to learn more about the field, understand the responsibilities of doctors, and explore niche specialities and interests within medicine.

How to Secure An Opportunity Shadowing?

Finding an opportunity to shadow can be challenging but not impossible. First, try reaching out to family members or friends who may be doctors or know medical professionals and request if you can shadow them- personal connection is always good! Also, try researching programs in hospitals or universities near you who may have programs for students to shadow doctors. Another method is called cold-emailing. Research clinics in your area and shoot an email to the doctors requesting an opportunity to shadow. Don’t forget to highlight your desire to learn and interest in the field! Another tip is when reaching out to clinics, try reaching out to ones not tied to a hospital/university system first- these tend to have much stricter laws on minors interacting with patients than self-owned clinics.

What Is A Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions relating to the skin, nails, and hair. However, this field is ever growing including cosmetic procedures such as Botox to treat skin cancer. Becoming a dermatologist is quite an arduous task starting with bachelor's degree (many start on the pre-med track), followed by medical school, and then a residency in dermatology. Some dermatologists even participate in a fellowship to gain further experience and knowledge. All in all, schooling can range from 10 years to even 15 in some places!

My Personal Experience
Walking into the clinic was a surreal experience. Dressed in scrubs, I felt a little bit like a doctor already, seeing patients of various ages in the waiting room and PA’s running around collecting supplies for the next appointment. 

The first procedure I witnessed was a nail biopsy. The patient came in with a discolored nail and the dermatologist ordered a biopsy to research the underlying condition causing it. I saw the dermatologist remove a small portion of the nail to be sent to the lab for further analysis. The precision the procedure required was remarkable- a procedure that can diagnose conditions from fungal infections to skin cancer.

Next, I observed my first Botox procedure- a lip flip. This is a minimally invasive treatment where small injections of Botox are injected into the upper lip triggering it to relax and give off a fuller or “flipped” appearance. It was fascinating to see the difference that occurred within minutes of administering the procedure.

However, Botox does not stop there. Over the shadowing experience, I saw Botox being injected for multiple cosmetic purposes from patients who wanted to reduce forehead lines to those who wanted fuller cheeks or to reduce a gaunt face. It is truly impressive to see how a few injections can completely alter a patients experience.

The last procedure I want to highlight was platelet rich plasma injections for hair loss. The PA drew small amounts of blood from the patient himself and spun it in a centrifuge to separate out the plasma platelets. Then, the dermatologist injected the plasma back into the patient’s scalp, explaining how the growth factors in PRP stimulates the follicles for hair growth.

Takeaway

Shadowing a dermatologist truly opened my eyes to the complexity of the medical field. This field blends together science, patient care, beauty, and so many others to provide treatment in a unique way. For students passionate about medicine, I encourage you to seek out shadowing opportunities to not only confirm your interest but understand the path ahead of you on a much deeper level. Good luck to all you future doctors!