Analysis of nail-related content in the basic dermatology curriculum.

Overview

Nail conditions are routinely encountered in dermatology clinical practice. Nails have important aesthetic functions, and onychodystrophies may cause pain and difficulties with ambulation and performing activities of daily living. Ideally, accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment of nail disorders are taught as early as medical school and extend into dermatology residency. We sought to determine the integration and content of nail education in the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Basic Dermatology Curriculum. Our results showed a paucity of nail content in this medical curriculum with only 101 total mentions of nails in 12 modules. Nail examinations were not mentioned as part of the full-body skin examination, nail unit melanoma was inadequately covered, and nail biopsy techniques were completely omitted. There is a notable need to enrich this curriculum with relevant nail content to educate students about the importance of nail disease.