Survey on Resident Education for Surgical Dermatology in South Korea

Background: With the increasing demand for surgical procedures in dermatology, resident education in surgical dermatology has become important for delivering high -quality treatment. However, it remains unclear if a sufficient number of residency programs with quality standards exist, as there has been little research on this subject in South Korea. Objective: To identify the status of surgical dermatology education among residents and assess dermatologists' perceptions of the subject. Methods: A 35 -question survey was developed and distributed to all resident training hospitals and local clinics listed by the Korean Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Only third- and fourthyear residents were included and board -certified specialists from training hospitals and local clinics responded to the surveys. Results: Survey participants included 88 residents and 120 specialists of whom one -quarter of the residents attended regular monthly educational sessions. Most residents (93%) participated in cosmetic procedures, and many performed laser therapy. However, the opportunity for toxin or filler injection was rare, with only 12% of the residents having experience with filler injections. In response, 49% of residents and 32% of specialists said that more cosmetic training was required, whereas 28% of residents and 50% of specialists said that more training for both cosmetic and conventional surgeries was necessary. Conclusion: The survey demonstrated a need for more training programs in surgical dermatology during residency and a perception gap between residents and specialists. Therefore, developing educational residency programs that focus on basic dermatologic surgery principles and their applications in cosmetic procedures is essential.